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French Open Betting: Serena and Ana the pick from the favourites

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Mandeep assesses the chances and the betting value amongst the top 6 in the women's betting: Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Venus Wiliams and Elena Jankovic

In this week's article I will be comparing the 6 current favourite female tennis players for the upcoming French Open and assessing their chances. With the retirement of Justine Henin, the tournament is as wide open as it has been for many years. Who will capitalise on this opportunity and take the title? I will also inspect the draw for my three favoured players:

Serena Williams (Current Betfair Price: [4.6])

This year's favourite, Serena is a fantastic competitor, and excellent in most facets of the game. She has all the attributes to take the title, and is notoriously difficult to beat. Anyone who saw her recent 6-2 6-0 demolition of Henin on clay will have noted Serena is back on great form. On her day, no lady on tour can compete with her ferocious hitting. She has particularly taken to attacking weak 2nd serving, thereby trying to take control of the point immediate.

Underrated parts of her game are her movement and defence. She strives to get the ball back, and her sound sliding ability will help in this regard.

Last year Serena lost to the eventual champion Henin at the QF stage in two sets. She has shown decent enough form on clay this season, but retired without playing her last QF. However, she isn't one who needs much match practice - and is rightly the one to beat.

Serena's draw: A likely tricky second round match against Srebotnik should not stop the big showdown against Ivanovic in the quarters. I believe whoever wins that match will win the tournament.

Jelena Jankovic (Current Betfair Price: 6.0)

Last year's semi finalist has enjoyed another fantastic year, consistently reaching the latter stages of tournaments.

Jankovic should prove a safe bet for the quarter finals, and despite a few recent surprising results, could well go on to make the final this year. Her attacking game has come on leaps and bounds, and she has retained her excellent defensive ability. Jelena is a great athlete, and her weak serve is least likely to be shown up at the French. One to keep a very close eye on ...

Jelena's draw: She has some difficult early matches - probably against Garbin, Cibulkova and Cornet. However she should get through these and beyond to a semi final versus either Serena or Ivanovic. Backing her to lay off before such a semi should result in a profit.

Maria Sharapova (Current Betfair Price: [6.6])

The new world number one and last year's semi finalist has been a little up and down. She won a US clay court tournament, but recently lost to Serena. Although her movement is not the greatest, Sharapova relies on powerful groundstrokes to overpower her opponent into submission. Reliable solid hitting from the baseline is consistently deep, and difficult to counter. This together with a solid serve does not however mask the weaker points of her game. Her movement is limited compared to other top players, and her net game is relatively poor. Luckily for Maria, a net game is not such a vital requirement to win this tournament, but she is susceptible to drop shots. Ivanovic beat her last year in the semi. Maria will do well to repeat last year's performance, despite a decent draw. Maria could go out at from the last 16 onwards, a lay from that point onwards.

Ana Ivanovic (Current Betfair Price: [8.4])

Last year's French open finalist is many people's pick to go one step further this year. Despite not having any particular great form at the start of the season, the quickness of courts should help. Her clubbing forehand and a desire never to give in will hold her in good stead. She has grown much in the last twelve months, and seems to be handling the extra attention very well. If she can find confidence at the right time, she could well be lifting the trophy.

Ana's draw: Oh no - a relatively easy run to the quarters, where she faces Serena. This would be a very tight match to call, and perhaps laying off before the match would be most sensible, but certainly the value would be with Ivanovic.

Venus Williams (Current Betfair Price: [13.0])

Venus has a big match temperament, but her style is not suited for this surface. Her groundstrokes have lacked consistency, and her second serve has been surprisingly weak. Undoubtedly she has the ability to pull out something special, but the competition is just too tough in the latter stages. She is one to avoid, especially as she is likely to have some tough matches against Pennetta and Bartoli on her way to a potential quarter final against Jankovic.

Svetlana Kuznetsova (Current Betfair Price: [14.5])

The first thing that sticks out is her price! 14.5's on a girl who only lost to the finalist in 3 sets last year (and is a regular top player) is some value. Whether this remains the case entirely depends on the draw. Svetlana is an underrated competitor, and has won a grand slam before. However, when I watch her play, I always believe there are stronger contenders out there worth backing. Indeed her recent form on clay does not inspire me with confidence. Could be a back to lay off when the draw gets tough, i.e. a likely loss to Azarenka in the last 16!

Summary

Since this year's tournament is so wide open, unusually it may be wiser to back some of the dark horses. Out of the above 6 favourites the big three in the lower half of the draw look best equipped to win the title. However they must face each other. Your strategy to make money depends on your aversion to risk:

Low Risk = Back Serena Williams
Medium Risk = Back Jelena Jankovic
High Risk = Back Ana Ivanovic.

Good luck all!