The mix of competitors for the Women’s
French Open title at Roland Garros this year is looking to be a lot
deeper than what the men’s draw does. That is because, while the
men’s draw has Rafael Nadal, the women’s draw has a host of
genuine talents that can step up and take the title. So that makes
for something of a realistic betting fest for some great value in the
women’s draw. There is of course, as with any betting, a favourite
and that title will fall on the shoulders of Serena Williams. There
is no doubt that she has the combined power and pace, and she does
translate well onto clay. But the American powerhouse has only won at
Roland Garros once in her career, so that may make punters hesitate
over backing her heavily. She is one of the top players on the Tour,
there is little argument about that, but clay is such a great
leveller.
The French Open is the most wide open
of the four Grand Slams on the women’s calendar. There have been
six different winners in the last six seasons at the event. So what
will that mean for Maria Sharapova? The Russian had an immense season
on clay last season, losing just one match on the clay swing, and she
powered her way to the French Open title for the first time.
Sharapova again has started well on clay in 2013 and the way she
grinds out defence from the baseline, will put her in good stead. She
has a tremendous first serve, but she is just developing a solid back
up to that, whereas before she was vulnerable on her second serve.
The Russian has the highest win percentage on clay of all active
players and at 7/2 value makes a great option.
Behind those two, Victoria Azarenka is
floating around at around the same mark as Sharapova. Azarenka had a
perfect year, in so much as going without defeat until she hit Madrid
as was ousted by Ekaterina Makarova. That was an upset, but it was
after a long rest for the Belarusian. Azarenka has been bothered with
niggling injuries this season, but she did defend her Australian Open
title at the start of the year and her heavy hitting should take her
far. She has the mobility and the reach to defend well on clay, but
she looks as if she just needs more games under her belt in the
Roland Garros build up on clay to be a big threat. It is just a
matter of getting her match sharpness back, but has the ability and
temperament to go deep.
You then have to look at some clay
court specialists behind those. China’s Na Li won the title back in
2011 and the very best of her often comes out on clay. She is just a
tenacious flat hitter and she was in top form over the early stages
of the season. She has been good this season, bombed in the first
round of Madrid though but that could inject her with a little more
fire. She rises up to the challenge of the big events well and should
make one of the best dark horses. There are other dark horses in the
field, notably Samantha Stosur and Sara Errani. Both come alive more
when they are on clay, especially Errani. The Italian is one of the
best at control and variety on clay and the big guns won’t want to
see her in their quarter of the draw.
Also falling into the form as outsiders
for the French Open will be Germany’s number one Angelique Kerber
and Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic. Kerber is just starting to come alive at
the right time of the season to gun for her first Grand Slam title. A
powerhouse, and full of focus. Such a tricky opponent and seeing her
in the quarter finals should be a certainty. More of an outside bet
is Ana Ivanovic. The Former Wimbledon champion still has the
potential and shows flashes of great class and resilience. Struggles
against big power, but always worth tracking for match betting and an
underdog shot against top ten opponents.
