French Open Tips Day Five: Kubot to march on?

French Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 25 May 2011 /

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Kubot is bidding to climb back up the rankings

"In my opinion, the [2.15] on offer on Gajdosova is worth tucking into."

Ben Caudell selects a pair of promising bets for Thursday at Roland Garros, including a resurgent Polish player.

Lukasz Kubot (POL) v Carlos Berlocq (ARG)

Lukasz Kubot made headline news at the French Open on Tuesday when he defeated the number 11 seed and winner of two clay court tournaments this year Nicolas Almagro.

Not only did the big serving Pole make it through to the second round at Roland Garros for the first time in his career, he managed to do so from two sets down to take the match 6-4 in the fifth set.

With his confidence given a massive boost after a difficult start to 2011 that has so far seen the 29-year-old drop from a high of 41 in the world rankings (April 2010) to 122, Kubot will have a strong advantage coming into Thursdays match against Carlos Berlocq.

Not only does he lead their head-to-head series 2-1 - including a recent three set win at the Madrid Master Series event earlier this month - the 6ft 3inch powerhouse has the added benefit of having made it through qualifying. This means that Kubot will have acclimatised to the faster Babalot balls that will be of assistance to his big serve and attacking ground-strokes.

There are some important stats to consider when deciding on an outcome for this match, Kubot has won four in a row on clay, six in a row when priced as favourite, and is 8-2 in all matches. Berlocq on the other hand has lost eight of his last nine in five set matches and is currently 4-6 in all matches, therefore my money is residing with the big-serving Pol to make it through to the third round.

Recommended Bet
Back Lukasz Kubot @ [1.93] to win match

Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) v Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)

This match is a tough one to call. Both players have decent form on the clay - Medina Garrigues is 8-2 and Gajdosova 7-3 - but I am siding with Gajdosova.

She has a decent record at the French Open, reaching the fourth round in 2010 and third round in 2009, and she will be buoyed by the fact that Medina Garrigues has lost four of her last five Grand Slam matches and is 17 places higher in the world rankings. In my opinion, the [2.15] on offer is worth tucking into.

Recommended Bets
Back Jarmila Gajdosova @ [2.15] to win match

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