The French Open gets underway on Monday and betting for the second Grand Slam of the season has a slightly different look to it this year following the emergence of Novak Djokovic as a genuine contender. Reigning champion Rafael Nadal is still favourite to take the title at Roland Garros but he is certainly not as short as he has been in recent years and actually looks to offer some value at an industry best of 11/10 with Paddy Power.
Nadal has won 38 and lost only one match at Roland Garros and is bidding to emulate Bjorn Borg by winning the French title for a record equalling sixth time. However, Novak Djokovic's amazing 2011 form means the bookmakers have resisted going long odds on for Nadal's chances on his favourite clay courts - although we do fancy that over five sets Nadal could just have the edge.
Djokovic has beaten Nadal in two consecutive clay court finals to take the Madrid and Rome Masters, but those were over three sets and it remains to be seen if he can take Nadal's crown over five sets at Roland Garros. Djokovic is bidding to break a record himself as he looks to extend his 37 match unbeaten start to the year and overtake the 42 match winning start to a season that John McEnroe set in 1984.
The Serbian is a two time French Open semi-finalist and is available at 6/4 in the betting with Paddy Power. Djokovic is one of only three men to have beaten Nadal more than once on clay and PaddyPower go evens on it being a Nadal-Djokovic final this year.
Roger Federer is one of the other men to have beaten Nadal more than once on clay and despite appearing on the wane he still looks to represent great value at 14/1 to win the tournament outright. The 2009 winner may have lost to Richard Gasquet in the third round in Rome last week but that was the first time in a year that he had failed to reach at least the quarter-finals of a tournament, and as a 16 time Grand Slam winner he certainly cannot be ruled out.
Federer is in the opposite half of the draw to Nadal and the 6/1 on offer for a Nadal-Federer final look very tempting indeed.
Andy Murray is alongside Federer at 14/1, which don't look particularly generous considering the Brit has never been past the last eight at Roland Garros. He showed glimpses of form when pushing Djokovic close in the Rome semi-finals last week and has received a favourable draw, but concerns over his fitness remain and better value looks to lie elsewhere.
Juan Martin Del Potro certainly looks to offer value at 30/1 with PaddyPower.com after reaching the semi-finals in 2009, although he too has fitness problems. While David Ferrer at the same price is well worth an each way look as the Australian Open semi-finalist has two clay court final appearances to his name this year - albeit losing both times to Nadal.
The pick of the longer shots could well be Robin Soderling at 40/1 with Paddy Power as he was the only man to beat Nadal at Roland Garros, in the fourth round in 2009, and despite indifferent form of late it is well worth remembering he was a finalist last year.
French Open Tips
Tip #1: Rafael Nadal to win outright @ 11/10 with PaddyPower.com
Tip #2: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to reach the final @ 6/1 with PaddyPower.com
Tip #3: David Ferrer each way @ 30/1 with PaddyPower.com
11/10 Rafael Nadal
6/4 Novak Djokovic
14/1 Roger Federer
14/1 Andy Murray
30/1 Juan Martin Del Potro
30/1 David Ferrer
40/1 Robin Soderling
80/1 Nicolas Almagro
90/1 Tomas Berdych
100/1 BAR
Odds supplied by PaddyPower.com, bookmakers, who provide a variety of odds and betting markets for the French Open - including live betting in-running.
Posted: Friday, 20th May 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: french open, french open, rafael nadal, novak djokovic, paddypower,
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