Tennis Betting Advice - May 2026

French Open: Seize the moment at 80/1...

Thursday 28th May 2026

What a day it’s been in Paris. And it’s not over yet…

I could write an absolute essay about the drama witnessed at Roland Garros today. Tim Henman called it one of the most memorable hours of Grand Slam tennis we’ve seen in many years…

On one court, world no.1 and odds-on French Open favourite, Jannik Sinner, lost from 6-3, 6-2, 5-1 up… he was just one game from victory, but felt unwell, and Juan-Manuel Cerundolo reeled him in. The Argentinean underdog was as big as 50/1 pre-match (in a two horse race!) - and even bigger in-play. Truly remarkable stuff.

At the same time, on another stadium show-court, French 17-year-old Moise Kouame delighted home fans with a comeback win of his own in five sets. The teenager roared back from 2-5 down in the final set (again, just one game away from defeat)...

What was I saying in last week’s tournament preview email, where we set out our stall to oppose the favourites? Anything can happen…

It’s time to seize the moment, and make our next moves in the Outright Winner markets…

With Sinner gone, the men’s Each Way terms are now back with some firms to 1/2 the odds for reaching the final (instead of the previously reduced 1/3 odds - although some bookies are now only going Win Only). On the other hand, with the top seed out, in reaction to the big news, many of the Outright prices have been decimated…

  • Anyone on Luciano Darderi from when I flagged him up at triple figures last month, when there was some 500/1, 200/1, and 100/1 on the table? The Italian is playing in the 2nd round later today. After compatriot Sinner was knocked out of his side of the draw, Darderi is now trading at just 20/1

Spare a thought for our 100/1+ pick women’s pick Hailey Baptiste. She suffered a horrible knee injury in the first set of her match yesterday - prematurely ending what was shaping up to be a promising tournament for her, with world no.2 Elena Rybakina knocked out in that section of the draw. Get well soon, Hailey. (Worth knowing: Skybet void Outright bets if a player pulls out injured while playing in a tournament. Other firms don’t).

We’re getting behind two youngsters from our 2026 Ones to Watch Report today:

  • 20-year-old LEARNER TIEN is through to the 3rd round, after saving match points this afternoon. The American is on a 6-match winning streak having won ATP Geneva last week. The stoical left-hander is at a career high of no.18 in the world. He has a tough match next against the in-form Flavio Cobolli - but sans Sinner, this side of the draw is anyone’s from here on in. While Cobolli is 20/1, Tien is 80/1 or 50/1 - and has beaten the Italian world no.14 before…
  • 18-year-old IVA JOVIC was mightily impressive in her 6-0, 6-3 win over last week’s WTA Strasbourg champion Emma Navarro today. First out on court this morning, Jovic looked very much at home in these conditions. What a young player she is. Let’s take the American world no.17 at 80/1 or 66/1 today. Naomi Osaka is up next, but Jovic has the smarts to take on anyone right now. We’re going with youth…

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Ones to Watch picks:

See above for full details
 
Outright Winner – Each Way (1/2 odds 1-2 places):

French Open – Women’s

  • Iva Jovic @ 80/1 William Hill, BetVictor, Betway, SpreadEx, Sporting Index, 66/1 Bet365, Skybet, Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook

French Open - Men’s

  • Learner Tien @ 80/1 Bet365, 50/1 William Hill. (Update on WhatsApp: also 50/1 Each Way 1/2 odds 1-2 with BetVictor, Skybet, Paddy Power)

Already in the book/ open bets:

WOMEN
Victoria Mboko
Karolina Muchova

MEN
Tommy Paul
Casper Ruud

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P.S

Get on WhatsApp for match picks…

I’m using the free-to-use WhatsApp platform to send out bonus match bets to you during the French Open, straight to your smartphone…

These are members-only picks. Specifically covering Match Winner opportunities and the like, on a frequent if not everyday basis.

The WhatsApp match picks are separate to our big-odds, Each Way tournament Outright Winner selections – which will remain in long-form, in-depth format by email. And exclusive to you as a Ones to Watch member…

  • If you don’t use WhatsApp, you can also find every French Open match bet by logging-in to our website and going to the French Open Match Picks tab from the drop-down menu (under the ‘More’ tab), updated by 10am each day: www.onestowatch.co.uk

Enjoy the tennis…

Best wishes,

Tom Wilson

Oliver Upstone

Ones to Watch