French Open Day 11: We’re set for another Serena comeback
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As the French Open is whittled down to the remaining eight, there’s something all too familiar about the names we are left with.
Maria Sharapova may have been the one big scalp, but the likes of Djokovic, Nadal and Williams all remain in the latter stages as they so often do in these big tournaments.
So as we peruse over some mouth-watering clashes, we’ve picked out some top bets at Roland Garros, including a 3/1 double and a 6/1 value selection.
Andy Murray v David Ferrer – Over 39.5 games @ Evens
When reading that David Ferrer has beaten Andy Murray on all four of their meetings on clay, you may be shocked to see the Spaniard as 13/8 outsider for the contest.
However with the form that Andy Murray in, it would be no surprise for him to topple the world number eight for the first time on the red stuff.
Victories over the likes of Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori are particular highlights of a 14 match clay winning streak for the Brit, as he ups his game on the surface.
But don’t expect his opponent to roll over. Ferrer has won 23 of his last 28 matches on clay and is capable of taking Murray all the way, demonstrated by the fact that all three of their meetings in best of five set encounters have seen today’s line breached.
At a bigger price, Ladbrokes in-play superboost could also interest with odds of 10/1 (from 5/1) offered that Murray does the business in five sets. That fantastic price will be available from the start of the match until the end of the first set.*
Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal – Nadal +4.5 games @ Evens
A similar story is visible here, with Rafael Nadal the undisputed ‘King of Clay’ but facing a man in scarily good form.
Djokovic has not dropped a set in six matches, and has rarely needed to get out of first gear in Paris, but this will be a different test.
Nadal’s hold over his Serbian rival in these Grand Slam events is telling, the Spaniard taking eight of their 11 meetings in such contests.
Rafa may have suffered injury worries in recent years, while Djokovic has pushed on, but we still fancy him to go close.
Even two of his three five-set defeats to the world number one have seen him get within the 4.5 game handicap, so back him to do the same here.
Serena Williams v Sara Errani – Williams to lose the first set and win @ 6/1
We have seen glimpses of the all-conquering Serena Williams we are used to in Paris, but it has certainly taken a while to come.
She looked in danger of facing an exit when losing the first set of her last 16 clash with Sloane Stephens 6-1, but bounced back in style to take the match.
That was the third match-up that she has come from a set down to win in her last three outings here.
While she should have more than enough to see off Errani and book a spot in the final four, a repeat could be on the cards.
In fact, of the last 20 matches in which Williams has dropped a set, it has been the first on 15 of those occasions, coming back to win in all but three of those.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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