The French Open started this week and has already had its fair share of shock results, none more so than the defeat of World number one Serena Williams.
There had been reasons for anticipating this defeat with a couple of niggling injuries causing her problems in recent weeks and her exit has blown the event wide open. Bookmakers have reacted by installing Maria Sharapova as the hot favourite at around 2-1 but those odds seem very cramped and I believe there is better value elsewhere.
Ana Ivanovic appeared to have the world at her feet when she won here in 2008 but is still seeking a second Grand Slam. It was probably a case of everything happening too quickly for the Serb but she looks a much more relaxed player in recent months and put up a great performance in Rome recently.
She defeated new tournament favourite Sharapova and took Williams to three sets. With Serena out of the draw, Ivanovic must have a terrific chance of having a good run to the semi-finals at least. She dismissed her first round opponent with ease despite huge home support for her rival and looks good value at around 10-1.
Our second selection is Australia’s Sam Stosur who has one of the fiercest serves on the Tour. She can overpower her opponents with her big serve and that gives her some easy rounds. A 6-1, 6-1 win in her first match was a perfect demonstration of her talent and she is over-priced at 50-1, especially with the favourite now out.
The Men’s tournament looks far more likely to go with the usual suspects. Rafael Nadal has won here an incredible eight times and it is surprising that Djokovic has been chalked up as favourite. They are undoubtedly the big two at Roland Garros with Federer and Murray expected to provide the stiffest opposition.
The bookies are giving absolutely nothing away with it being virtually a toss of a coin. If you fancy any other player to break their dominance, you can get around 20-1 and upwards but with each-way terms only applying to a final spot it seems a tall order. We shall stick with the Ladies event and hope that one of our players can make it to the final pairing.
Ana Ivanovic at 10-1 Why Winner
Sam Stosur at 50-1 Totesport, Betfred
Each-way ½ odds, 1,2
