Tennis Betting Advice - October 2020
French Open: Going the distance on Day 9…
Monday 5th October 2020
In your Ones to Watch email today:
Welcome to Day 9 of the French Open…
Statement victories…
Sunday was a pretty momentous day at Roland Garros. There were some fantastic matches. It was great to hear a crowd roaring again at a big-time tennis match. Even a modest allowance of 1,000 spectators can create a brilliant atmosphere.
Our two Ones to Watch teenagers are through to the quarter finals.
Iga Swiatek was the story of the day – and the performance of the tournament so far.
The 19-year-old was simply sensational against Simona Halep. Knocking out the top seed and tournament favourite by a blistering 6-1, 6-2 score-line. And the Polish youngster was every bit as dominant and as good as that scoreboard suggests.
With Kiki Bertens also going out from the top side of the draw yesterday, the bookmakers have reacted strongly. Swiatek has now been installed as joint-favourite for the title, trading at around 5/2 (3.5) alongside Elina Svitolina.
That’s a remarkable shift. We’re on Swiatek at anything ranging from 25/1 & 33/1 to 80/1 & 100/1.
Our outsider is now being touted to go all the way. They don’t hand out any prizes for reaching the quarter finals, though. We’re in a good position there. I’m looking forward to watching Iga in the next round. Exciting stuff.
In the men’s, we have another 19-year-old rising star through to the quarter finals. Jannik Sinner (150/1) confirmed his big-match potential, beating US Open finalist Alexander Zverev, 3-1.
Sinner’s win has been overshadowed slightly by Zverev’s post-match revelation that he was feeling unwell and had a fever. With that being a coronavirus-like symptom, let’s just hope for all involved that that story doesn’t develop any further.
Next up for the Italian teenager – a mouth-watering quarter final clash against 12-time Roland Garros champ, Rafael Nadal.
Going the distance on Day 9…
We’re in profit so far for our French Open match picks. Today the Total Sets markets get our attention.
In short, I reckon all three of these matches could get complicated, with nerves, errors, comebacks, entertainment & drama all on the potential script…
If that’s the case, then we could see the scoreboards pushed to a deciding set.
Laura Siegemund v Paula Badosa
Siegemund has required the full three sets in the last two rounds, and was 1-5 down and saved multiple set points in the first set of her 2-0 win in round one. Two of Badosa’s three matches in week one went the distance, too.
This in uncharted Grand Slam territory for both women, and the scale of the occasion could have a big impact on proceedings.
Ons Jabeur v Danielle Collins
We were on Jabeur as the underdog in the 3rd round, identifying her match v Aryna Sabalenka as one likely to be decided by errors. The winners to unforced errors stats ended up 35-31 for Jabeur, and in the negative for Sabalenka at 31-36. Jabeur won the match, 2-1.
It was a similar story for Collins’ 2-1 underdog win over Garbine Muguruza. The winners v unforced errors ratio was in the negative for Collins at 36-44, yet the American still managed to win through.
With a place in the quarter finals and beyond coming into view, these two women’s matches both have the look of three-set scraps to me.
Grigor Dimitrov v Stefanos Tsitsipas
The key stat to consider here comes from both men’s recent records when departing from Grand Slams…
Three of the last four Grand Slam matches that Dimitrov has lost have been five-set gut-wrenchers. And for the match favourite Tsitsipas, a noteworthy three of his last five Grand Slam exits have gone the epic, five-set route.
Expect plenty of flashy tennis and one-handed backhands in this one. It could be a fun ride.
Ones to Watch:
Laura Siegemund v Paula Badosa
Ons Jabeur v Danielle Collins
Grigor Dimitrov v Stefanos Tsitsipas
Play starts from 10am.
You can watch the French Open live on the Eurosport channels, website & app. On selected bookie websites with a funded account. And on ITV4.
I’ll be back tomorrow morning with your Day 10 email.
Enjoy the tennis…
Best wishes,
Tom Wilson