Elina Svitolina vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
2nd October 1000hrs
Tennis – France – French Open 2020
Pick Svitolina -4.5 Games Handicap
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: Even money odds taken 02:13 GMT Thursday, 1st October
Elina Svitolina is in the leading pack of contenders to claim the French Open title this year as she tries to hunt down an elusive Slam title.
She had a little struggle in the last round, but showed a tremendous attitude to steady her ship and get through.
There is another tricky match coming up for her now as she faces Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in what could be the pick of the third round matches at Roland Garros.
Table of Contents
Elina Svitolina Preview – Svitolina to face another stern test
There was no US Open action for Elina Svitolina this season, who is ranked 5th on the WTA at the moment.
But she came back into action in fine style by reaching the quarter-finals of the Italian Open in Rome.
She was stopped there in no uncertain fashion by Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets, in what was a bit of an upset.
But Svitolina was right back on it in her next tournament as she headed to Strasbourg and collected the title there.
That was an excellent run, notably beating Aryna Sablenka and Elena Rybakina in the final two rounds of action there.
She needed to show some grit in both the semi final and the final as well, as they both went to three sets.
In the Total sets market for this one, as three of Svitolina’s last four matches have gone the distance, the option of 3 is at 13/8* (odds taken 02:13 GMT Thursday, 1st October).
This will be the first meeting between the two players so we have no prior head to head form to look back at and size up.
Svitolina’s best efforts at the French Open have been quarter-final finishes in 2015 and 2017, but she hasn’t failed to reach this third round in any of her last five appearances.
So it’s not a bad return from her and she has reached the semi-finals of two of the last three Grand Slam tournaments she’s played in.
Svitolina is the 4/11 odds-on favourite in the match outright for this match* (odds taken 02:13 GMT Thursday, 1st October).
Ekaterina Alexandrova Preview – Can the Russian pull off an upset
This will be a big upset if Ekaterina Alexandrova were to pull off the win in this third round match.
She is the 11/5 underdog for the match and Alexandrova is ranked 31st in the world at the moment* (odds taken 02:13 GMT Thursday, 1st October)..
The Russian did take a place on the recent US swing, lining up in the draws of the Western & Southern Open and the US Open.
She was a second-round loser in both of those tournaments as well. But she did get a fantastic win over Kim Clijsters in the first round of the US Open.
There has been next to no form of her on clay though as she lost in the first round in Rome at the Italian Open.
It was then a second-round exit at the Strasbourg Grand Prix following that.
In the opening round of Roland Garros she posted a comfortable win over Australia’s Maddison Inglis and then was similarly comfortable in a win over Astra Sharma in the following round.
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Ekaterina Alexandrova is only in her fourth French Open Grand Slam main draw. She lost at the third round stage last season, her best effort at Roland Garros.
If you look across her stats prior to the start of this Grand Slam then she was on a par with the year to date record of Svitolina.
Alexandrova came in at W15 L9 and Sviotlina was at W15 L7. It’s going to be fascinating to see if she can get a set on the board and rattle the favourite.
Elina Svitolina vs Ekaterina Alexandrova Betting Advice
We don’t particularly see this as being a straightforward affair for Elina Svitolina, who should still win the match either way.
So we are going straight for the Elina Svitotlina 2-1 option in the set betting at 3/1 odds* (odds taken 02:13 GMT Thursday, 1st October).
The basis for that will be the Ukrainian’s second set wobble in the last round, so the option has some appeal for tennis betting.
Key Facts – Elina Svitolina vs Ekaterina Alexandrova Betting Tip
- Elina Svitolina has been to the quarter finals of the French Open in two of the last four seasons
- Elina Svitolina is ranked 5th in the world
- Ekaterina Alexandrova has never faced Svitolina before
The class of Svitolina should win out because she has come through some scrappy, tough affairs recently.
Alexandrova has looked comfortable in her opening two matches and should be coming in with a bit of confidence on Friday.
The best betting odds for Elina Svitolina vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Elina Svitolina to win: 12/1 at Bet365
Ekaterina Alexandrova to win: 10/11 at Bet365
