The 9/1 shot who now looks destined to win the French Open

With both Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova absent, this year’s Women’s French Open could be the most wide-open tournament in years.

It’s the first time in over 15 years that a Slam tournament will feature neither the American nor Russian.

So it’s a huge opportunity for the rest, and we reckon we’ve found the player to step up in Paris.

Elina Svitolina.

The Ukrainian is 9/1 second-favourite to win the WTA’s only clay Slam, behind 7/2 market leader Simona Halep.

Svitolina’s price has tumbled from 66/1 at the start of the year however, and there’s a very good reason why.

The 22-year-old has won four tournaments this season, the most of any competitor.

And her latest victory in Rome this weekend – with a three-set win over Halep in the final – was the latest indicator that Svitolina is French Open champion in-waiting.

But in truth, the Ukraine ace has been promising big things for a good 18 months now.

Over that time, she has defeated world number one Angelique Kerber four times, reigning French Open champion Garbine Muguruza twice, plus Serena Williams at last summer’s Olympics.

You can add in victories over Johanna Konta, Caroline Wozniacki, Karolina Pliskova and Halep in that time too.

So not only is Svitolina the form player right now, but she’s pulled off big wins over her toughest opponents as well.

Finally, the French Open has crowned many first-time Slam winners.

In the last decade alone, Ana Ivanovic, Francesco Shiavone, Li Na and Muguruza have all landed their first Slam in the French capital.

All told, we think Svitolina is over-priced at 9/1, and we doubt she’ll remain that big for long.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing