French Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 04 June 2009 /

After opposing the favourite yesterday, Ben Caudell is going with the jolly...

Roger Federer stands just two wins away from drawing level with all-time Grand Slam leader Pete Sampras on 14 major Trophies after a convincing win over the last remaining French hope Gael Monfils, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and 10 minutes.

Federer will now meet Juan Martin Del Potro in the semi-finals after the Argentine sailed into the next round with a confident performance upsetting 16th seed Tommy Robredo of Spain 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. At 20 years of age, the youngest of the semi-finalists will have his work cut out against world no. 2, who has won the last five matches between the two including two matches this year. Federer defeated the youngster in the Madrid Masters 6-3 6-4 and at this years Australian Open 6-3 6-0 6-0, he is still to drop a set against the Argentine and is now odds on favourite to win his first ever French Open.

Today's Selections:

Samantha Stosur (AUS) v Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
Kuznetsova will be extremely happy with her three set win over American powerhouse Serena Williams yesterday and not so surprisingly with her semi-final draw against today's opponent Samantha Stosur of Australia. These two have played each other only once before, back in 2004, which the Russian won 6-4 6-4.
Both players share similar tournament stats at this years French Open, Stosur has served more aces and has played more hours than the Russian, she has a slightly better percentage on first serves and first service points won. However the stat I always look out for is the second service percentage, both players are reasonably high in regards to this percentage anything lower than 50% show's to me the player is struggling on their serve.

Tournament stats:

Kuznetsova
1st Srv %: 63%
Aces: 8
Doubles: 8
1st Srv Pts: 66%
2nd Srv Pts: 60%
Winners: 135
UEs: 104
Ratio: 1.29:1
BPs faced: 23
BPs saved: 13
BPs won: 23/44
At net: 65%
1st Srv Spd: 159km/h
2nd Srv Spd: 131km/h
Return Pts: 47%
Court Time: 439 minutes

Stosur
1st Srv %: 64%
Aces: 18
Doubles: 9
1st Srv Pts: 70%
2nd Srv Pts: 50%
Winners: 131
UEs: 115
Ratio: 1.14:1
BPs faced: 48
BPs saved: 40 BPs won: 23/49
At net: 61%
1st Srv Spd: 167km/h
2nd Srv Spd: 142km/h
Return Pts: 46%
Court Time: 494 minutes


On paper Kuznetsova should win this match quite convincingly, however Stosur has been nothing short of a revelation at this year's event dispatching of Elena Dementieva in round three and clay courters Virginie Razzano and Sorana Cirstea in the two previous rounds. Her high bouncing kick serve on clay has been the biggest weapon in her armoury, against Kuznetsova this will need to be relentless for the Australian to be successful.

Kuznetsova has never won the French Open before but has reached the finals and semis in previous years. Her powerful groundstrokes will put the Australian on the back foot, if she can cut down on the unforced error count, this match could be done and dusted in two sets depending on how physically fit she is after a three set match against Serena Williams.

Selection:

Back Svetlana Kuznetsova @ [1.37] to win match
Back Kuznetsova 2-0 @ [1.9]

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