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Mens French Open
Johnny O'Shea, readaBet.com
Click here for Mens French Open Best Odds
View Betting Verdict
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2003-05-26
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SUPER ANDRE |
The French Open is always a fascinating tournament. Being the only Grand Slam that is played on clay, a different set of skills are generally required for success. The big servers and volleyers are largely found redundant at Roland Garros, and the base line slugfest that usually materialises demands much, both mentally and physically, of the players.
Few players have managed to perform in a manner that can earn success on all surfaces. One that has, however, is Andre Agassi. As one of only five players to have lifted all four of the grand slam events, his place in history is assured. At 33 years of age, the quality of tennis played by the Las Vegan is good enough to beat anybody on his day, as he proved at the Australian Open in January. Going into the French Open, which he has won just once, Agassi has a singles record of 23-2, which is a personal record at this stage of the season, and includes five titles. However, one of those losses came the Rome Masters event, widely regarded as a good from guide. David Ferrer got the better of him, despite losing the first set 6-0. This is the only blip though, and he won on the clay in Houston earlier this month. At 8/1 there is plenty of value available and Agassi is our headline pick for the Championships. The man who is constantly pushing back the boundaries could well make this grand slam number nine.
Juan Carlos Ferrero is favourite for the title, and has a best price of 10/3, despite never having won. Last year he lost in the final to Albert Costa, and in both 2000 and 2001 the semi final was reached. He is the very definition of a clay court specialist and his only realistic hope of winning a grand slam is in the French Open. His price is too short for us though. Since winning the Monte Carlo Masters event with ease he has not taken another title. In Rome he lost to Roger Federer in the semi final.
A player who has won this tournament, three times in fact, is Gustavo Kuerten. The Brazilian is rated as a 10/1 shot this time around but his form would suggest that he will not be making it number four. This is also the reason that the seeding committee have him as low as 15. This price looks far too short.
Another former champion is Carlos Moya and the best odds available on him are 7/1. This makes him second favourite, and two titles have already gone his way this year. They were both won on clay, in Barcelona and Buenos Aires. There is no doubt that Moya is a tough man to beat on this surface, but we just do not have enough confidence in him at this price. The way that Raphael Nadal got the better of him in the second round at Hamburg is another reason not to back the Spaniard as is the fact that he was competing this week in Dusseldorf, rather than taking the week off in preparation.
Top seed for the tournament is Lleyton Hewitt despite the fact that he has never got past the quarterfinals. That best showing was in 2001, and this will be his fifth appearance. He has even gone on record admitting that he doubts he has the game to win the French Open, and we have to agree with him. At the Hamburg Masters event, the Australian was knocked out by Fernando Gonzalez, and this is his only standard clay event in 2003 to date. In fact, Hewitt was fortunate to make it far as the round of sixteen in that tournament. His fighting qualities are second to none, but that will not be enough to win him the title.
The man who beat him in Hamburg was Fernando Gonzalez and his form was so impressive that he deserves a mention. The Chilean can be found at 50/1 and if he could perform as he did in that match, anyone would struggle to cope. He has never made it to a major final though and the fact that he is competing in Dusseldorf may mean that fatigue would be a factor for the physically draining event.
This championship is always open, and there are several players who will fancy their chances. Albert Costa is the defending champion and he can be found with odds as generous as 66/1. However, the Spaniard has not made it as far as the quarter finals in any of this four clay court events this year and so is not playing well enough to successfully defend.
Seeded seven is Guillermo Coria, and he is in an excellent run of form. Two clay court events have been won by the Argentine already this season, in Buenos Aires and in Hamburg last week. It is also interesting to note that when he has been knocked out of tournaments, it has generally been to a highly ranked player. Fitness will not be an issue for the 21 year old, especially as he has taken this week off, and we believe odds of 16/1 merit an each way bet. |
| Betting Verdict |
4 pts Andre Agassi to win at 4/1 with SportingBet
Played like a man amongst boys in Melbourne, and his experience makes him favourite every time he steps onto court. Agassi will take some beating.
1 pt Guillermo Coria each way (1/2 odds 1,2) at 8/1 with Victor Chandler
Already won twice on clay this season and has the game to beat anyone in Paris. With youth and rest on his side, the extra fitness could be a telling factor. |
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