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The women’s draw for the 2012 French Open tennis betting, is much more open than that of the men’s. There is such an evenly matched, competitive field that there is a lot more value to be taken in the women’s game than the men’s. So here we look at the main contenders for the title, along with a few of the main outside threats. We had a surprise winner of Li Na at the French Open last year, as she powered her way past Francesca Schiavone. Both of those are just coming into form, or will it be world number one Victoria Azarenka claiming back to back Grand Slams this year? Or will Serena Williams pick up just her second ever French Open crown.
Summary of the Quarters of the Draw
- Victoria Azarenka leads the way as top seed, but could face Sam Stosur in the quarters
- Agnieszka Radwanska could get an early meeting with Venus Williams, then perhaps Svetlana Kuznetsova before the quarter finals. Tough quarter, and in the quarter final, she could face someone like Marion Bartoli, Flavia Pennetta or Angelique Kerber.
- Na Li is top seed for this quarter. Easiest quarter of the draw, and that could favour defending champ Na Li. She should have an easy run to the quarters where Francesca Schiavone or Petra Kvitova could be waiting.
- Top seed is Maria Sharapova but there is that potential quarter final against fifth seed Serena Williams. The winner of that should have a great run at the final then. Other dangers, Caroline Wozniacki, Julia Goerges, Kaia Kanepi.
Serena Williams 9/4 at BetFred
A winner back in 2002 and has been in terrific clay court form this season. There is a huge different about playing on clay, the most physically demanding surface than on any other. Power is often dialled back, and that is why you see multiple Grand Slam winners struggling at Roland Garros. It is a great leveller and it brings into play clay court specialists As good as she is, Serena Williams is not one of those. However, she has been in great form on the clay this season, going on a 17 match winning streak, which has been the second best record on the surface this century. She had to withdraw from her semi final in Rome against Na Li last week though, after picking up a back injury. It shouldn’t be a factor at Roland Garros though, it was a precautionary withdraw after getting used to a heavy schedule again. Her intensity will be there at the French Open and is one of the strong options in 2012 French Open tennis betting, but beatable on the surface.
Victoria Azarenka 7/2 at BetFred
Vika was demolished in the final of Madrid on clay by Serena Williams, however, she had powered her way past Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova along the way. So a mixed bag from the Belarusian, who hasn’t had a taste of victory after rattling of four consecutive titles at the start of the year, including at the Australian Open. Azarenka has power in her and is a better, quicker mover than Serena Williams, so if they meet at Roland Garros, it will be more of an even playing field. Azarenka has justifiably climbed to number one in the world rankings, and has only failed to get to the final of a tournament twice this season. The most recent of those two events was a withdraw in the round of sixteen in Rome last week. She suffered a right shoulder injury. She lost the first set of her first round match at the French Open to open with, but ground out a win, in not very convincing manner. Perhaps first round nerves as she looked hurried and uncharacteristically produced a lot of unforced errors. She’ll get better as the tournament goes on.
Maria Sharapova 6/1 at BetFred
There had always been a huge doubt over Maria Sharapova on clay, as the Russian had a poor record on the surface and Roland Garros was the only Grand Slam title that is missing from her career. However, she has turned the form books on their heads this season, as she has ran up an 11-1 clay court record this season. She triumphed over Li Na in Rome recently, and now four of her last five titles have come on the clay surface. She joins Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic as having the fourth highest amount of clay court titles (among active players). Sharapova may have turned a corner this season After losing three finals at the start of the season, including the Australian Open final, she has hit back with two wins in three tournaments. There was a demolition job handed out by Serena Williams on the weird clay of Madrid, but other than that, the Russian tennis queen has been firing along. Full of grit and determination, the key to her game is her serve. She needs that working for her to work. Will out-work and out-defend anyone else in the tournament and stands a good shot. The draw hasn’t been kind to her though, as she could meet Serena Williams in the quarters. She has turned the corner, because she has been producing her A game in finals as well now, the matches where she was falling short. There is value in 2012 French Open tennis betting on the Russian.
Agnieszka Radwanska 20/1 at BetFred
The young Pole has matured so much over the past twelve months and following her win in Brussels in preparation for the French Open, she has now earned more match wins on the season than any other player. She should be there or thereabouts, as is playing some fantastic tennis at the moment and moving very, very well. Roland Garros likes throwing up upsets, and if someone outside of the main big guns has the capacity to deliver, then it is Radwanska.
Clay Court Specialists
Because of the slower balls and higher bounce on clay, you have to size up those players who really excel on the dirt. There are a few who stand out, namely Francesca Schiavone, Sam Stosur and Jelena Jankovic. Last year’s winner Na Li, is powerful on the surface and was riding a 12 wins from 16 matches streak heading to Paris.
Outsiders in 2012 French Open tennis betting
Anastasia Myskina, Ana Ivanovic, Francesca Schiavone, names you never really expected to go on and win the French Open. But that is how tough of a test the French Open is, even for the big guns in the world. So it is worth looking at outsiders and the best of the bunch are Angelique Kerber, who has broken the top ten for the first time (and has been one of the outstanding players this season on the WTA), Flavia Pennetta, Marion Bartoli and Dominika Cibulkova who has had a decent clay court swing of the season.
2012 French Open tennis betting odds at BetFred
Serena Williams 9/4, Victoria Azarenka 7/2, Maria Sharapova 6/1, Li Na 12/1, Sam Stosur 12/1, Petra Kvitova 20/1, Agnieszka Radwanska 20/1, Angelique Kerber 20/1
