French Open money for Sharapova, but Kvitova remains darkhorse
Published:Maria Sharapova may be the player being backed to win the women’s French Open, but Petra Kvitova remains the darkhorse to secure a maiden Grand Slam victory.
Sharapova may have never made it past the semi finals at Roland Garros, but she warmed up for her trip this year with perhaps her biggest ever career victory on clay when beating Sam Stosur in the final of the Rome Masters.
This success helped reduce her tennis odds to 7/1 to win the French Open, but following the draw she has now joined Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka as one of three 5/1 co favourites.
Sharapova has the incentive for victory as it would make her just the tenth woman in history to win all four Grand Slams, while the draw has worked in her favour.
There seems to be no immediate concerns in her section of the draw until she potentially faces Kim Clijsters in the quarter finals.
However, Kvitova is perhaps the most improved player on the circuit this season, climbing into the top ten of the world rankings for the first time, and her three victories already this year mean she arrives in France in good form.
The latest of these also came on clay when beating Azarenka in the final of the Madrid Masters and if there is to be a maiden Grand Slam winner at the French Open, it may be Kvitova and not world number one Wozniacki or Azarenka.
In what looks like a wide-open tournament, 10/1 looks a fair price in the French Open odds that Kvitova can secure victory, particularly if she maintains her good form throughout the fortnight.
Kvitova is regarded as one of the most inconsistent players in the women’s game, but certainly has the power and strength to beat anyone else in the draw, while the fact that she is left handed may prove an added advantage.
A £30 stake on Kvitova winning the French Open would return £300. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.
