Sharapova vs Petkovic – Only certainty looks to be three sets
Published:Taking the 5/4 in the French Open odds that the quarter final between Maria Sharapova and Andrea Petkovic goes to three sets looks the best bet as it is tough to predict a winner between two of the most in-form players on the female circuit.
Match Odds
Not only have the duo shared victories in their two meetings so far in 2011, but both arrived at Roland Garros having recently landed a clay-court title.
Sharapova triumphed in the Rome Masters and will be especially keen to win the French Open as it is the one Grand Slam missing from her CV.
It is 1/2 that Sharapova beats Petkovic, which was the result in their most recent meeting in March in the semi finals of the Sony Ericsson Open.
However, Petkovic has not only already won a French clay-court tournament this season, but also owns a Grand Slam victory over Sharapova.
Petkovic beat Marian Bartoli to win in Strasbourg last month, while she dumped Sharapova out in the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.
The German is 6/4 in the French Open odds to beat Sharapova and reach the semi finals of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Set Betting
Both players have already required three sets at some point in this year’s progression to the French Open quarter finals and given how closely matched they seem on paper, it is hard not to predict their showdown reaching a deciding set.
Sharapova won in a deciding set in the Sony Ericsson Open and is 3/1 to win 2-1 again to move into the semi finals.
Meanwhile, it is 7/2 that Petkovic triumphs 2-1 for the third round in succession at the French Open after her victories over Jarmila Gajdosova and Maria Kirilenko.
