FRENCH OPEN 2007

[bulit]

LET'S THE GAME BEGIN

Men's Singles 2007

R Nadal..........................1.50
R Federer.......................3.00
N Djokovic......................21.00
F Gonzalez......................26.00
G Canas........................ 26.00
N Davydenko...................34.00
R Gasquet......................41.00
D Ferrer.........................51.00
D Nalbandian...................51.00
L Hewitt.........................51.00
N Almagro.......................51.00
T Berdych.......................51.00
T Robredo.......................67.00
J I Chela.........................81.00
JC Ferrero...................... 81.00
M Safin.......................... 81.00
A Roddick........................101.00
C Moya...........................101.00
I Andreev........................101.00
I Ljubicic.........................101.00
J Acasuso........................101.00
J Blake............................101.00
J M Del Potro....................101.00
M Baghdatis......................101.00
P H Mathieu......................101.00
T Haas.............................101.00
M Youzhny........................126.00
A Calleri............................151.00
F Volandri..........................151.00
G Monfils...........................201.00
J Monaco...........................201.00
J Nieminen.........................201.00
P Kohlschreiber.................. 201.00
R Soderling........................201.00

Ladbrokes.com

[bulit]

I can't beleived that odds for Nadal to win is so low.
1.5 to win all matches on 3 wining sets is to low.
Odds on Nadal,Federer,Djokovic and other players from first ten will be very low so I will try to find some players who are in good form at the moment.
My first two picks are Volandri and Kohlschreiber who are playing this year their best seasons in life. Amazing form for both players on clay this year and odds will be little bigger especially with handicap.
I'm still waiting for draws and odds but I can't wait so this is my short preview of men's singles.

[Wittmann 44]

The draw will be vital here. I will be looking for some e/w value in Fedrerer's section. He still doesn't convince for me on clay. He has made the SF and Final in 2005 and 2006 respectively but prior to that his record was middling. His SF appearance in 2005 was due to a very kind draw and he was in better form coming into 2006 then he is now. I think Nadal losing to Federer in Hamburg will actually benefit Nadal. His run is over and that might lift some pressure off him.

In my view I don't think Volandri has any chance at all. He has never been beyond the second round here and when the competition increases at Slam and Masters level he has been found wanting outside Rome. Kohlscreiber is more interesting. With a kind draw he might make the last 16. Better than that I would be surprised.

Of the fancy priced players Robredo always performs solidly although he hasn't made the leap to beating top 10 players consistently. Canas is always dangerous but there's questions over his fitness. I might be tempted be Gasquet with a good draw. I'd say all 3 have a good chance of making the QF at least.

Like you bulit I cannot briong myself to back Nadal at what will be less than evens.

[igor5]

I don`t bet on tennis so often but i like that price on Hewitt @51 and Davydenko@34

[bulit]

Originally Posted by Wittmann 44

The draw will be vital here. I will be looking for some e/w value in Fedrerer's section. He still doesn't convince for me on clay. He has made the SF and Final in 2005 and 2006 respectively but prior to that his record was middling. His SF appearance in 2005 was due to a very kind draw and he was in better form coming into 2006 then he is now. I think Nadal losing to Federer in Hamburg will actually benefit Nadal. His run is over and that might lift some pressure off him.

In my view I don't think Volandri has any chance at all. He has never been beyond the second round here and when the competition increases at Slam and Masters level he has been found wanting outside Rome. Kohlscreiber is more interesting. With a kind draw he might make the last 16. Better than that I would be surprised.

Of the fancy priced players Robredo always performs solidly although he hasn't made the leap to beating top 10 players consistently. Canas is always dangerous but there's questions over his fitness. I might be tempted be Gasquet with a good draw. I'd say all 3 have a good chance of making the QF at least.

Like you bulit I cannot briong myself to back Nadal at what will be less than evens.

I didn't said for Volandri that he is favorit. neither for Kohlscreiber but I think that the both will win first two match and that's enough for me from them
I agree with you about Robredo and Canas but I expekt odds around 1.05 on their wins in first matches. We will see everything when we got odds.
I still waiting for them

[bulit]

Originally Posted by igor5

I don`t bet on tennis so often but i like that price on Hewitt @51 and Davydenko@34

everything is possible.I wont forgot few suprices on grand slams over last few years.
I will bet on Jankovic in WTA. She is in amazing form and this is her best chance to do something

[bulit]

WTA French Open Winner

27/05 Justine Henin Hardenne (BEL) 2.500
10:05 Serena Williams (USA) 5.050
Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) 9.500
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 11.000
Maria Sharapova (RUS) 12.000
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 13.200
Nadia Petrova (RUS) 16.000
Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) 16.000
Venus Williams (USA) 18.000
Martina Hingis (SUI) 24.000
Shahar Peer (ISR) 29.000
Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 39.000
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 41.000
Elena Dementieva (RUS) 51.000

[rcgills]

Agree with you on Kohlschreiber, he's one on my shortlist too. Some great looking long prices too. Wittmann's outside shot for this week's Austrian tournament, Montanes, is 1000, as is Melzer, Moya is 330, Berdych 300, Roddick (showing signs of doing OK on clay) is 350, Robredo 270, ....

Betfair have a market for the winner without Nadal or Federer, which could be interesting. Not sure how they decide on that one though - if Nadal and Federer make the final, how do they decide which of the two semi-finalists wins this market?

For the women's event, have had a little bit already on Hantuchova @ 130 on Betfair. May also be interested in Golovin (currently at 65), she's already won a tournament on clay this year in Amelia Island. Worry with her though is that she's not played in the last month. Schnyder possibly slightly overpriced at 85, while Bammer @ 300 and Bartoli @ 400 could be decent longshots.

[bulit]

Also i fogot to mansion D. Ferer. Great player whos beat Djokovic few weeks ago, he beat Kohlscreiber this week and he is in excellent form now. He will be one of he best player for betting (I mean on odds of course).
I have qualification in my local bookies and they first round was without any big suprices.
You can see draws and odds on www.lavovi.com.

[rcgills]

Men's draw:
http://www.rolandgarros.com/fr_FR/sc.../ms/index.html

Women's draw:
http://www.rolandgarros.com/fr_FR/sc.../ws/index.html

[igor5]

Nadal given tough French Open draw

PARIS, France -- Defending champion Rafael Nadal, bidding to match Bjorn Borg by winning three French Open titles in a row, has been handed an awkward draw for the claycourt grand slam which starts at Roland Garros on Sunday.

Nadal faces highly-rated Argentinian teenager Juan Martin del Potro in his opener before a second round clash with either a qualifier or Russia's Teimuraz Gabashvili.

Britain's surprise 2004 semifinalist Tim Henman could be a third round opponent, with 2004 champion Gaston Gaudio or former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, who took a set off the Spaniard in the Hamburg semifinals last week, possibly waiting to pounce in the fourth round.

Former champion Carlos Moya of Spain and American Andy Roddick, seeded third, could then stand in the muscular 20-year-old's way before a scheduled semifinal encounter with up and coming Serbian Novak Djokovic.

World number one Roger Federer, desperate to win to become only the third man in history to win all four grand slams, has an arguably easier passage in the opening rounds.

He will start his campaign against America's Michael Russell, the world number 71, before facing either a qualifier or Frenchman Thierry Ascione in the second round and either another qualifier or Potito Starace of Italy in round three.

Former French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain may be his first serious test in the fourth round.

If he survives that, a possible semifinal clash against Chilean Fernando Gonzalez could be on the cards, while dangerous Argentinians Guillermo Canas and David Nalbandian are also in his half of the draw.

Federer returned to form by ending Nadal's 81-match winning run on clay in the final in Hamburg.

Henin defends

In the women's tournament, top seed and defending champion Justin Henin, who is seeking her third consecutive title and fourth in the last five years, opens her campaign against Russian world number 67 Elena Vesnina.

But the Belgian must face up to the likelihood of a mouthwatering quarterfinal clash with 2002 champion Serena Williams of the United States.

Williams has played sparingly since her demolition of Maria Sharapova in the final of the opening grand slam of the season in Australia, but has been practicing hard on clay.

Second-seeded Sharapova, who has never got beyond the quarterfinals in Paris, faces experienced Frenchwoman Emilie Loit in the first round.

Leading home hope Amelie Mauresmo, a potential last eight opponent for Sharapova, starts against Laura Granville of the United States.

Third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova faces Russian compatriot Ekaterina Bychkova in the first round with fellow Russian, and 2004 winner, Anastasia Myskina a possible second round opponent.

Williams, playing at Roland Garros for the first time in three years, will open against Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria.

Fourth seeded Serb Jelena Jankovic, widely tipped as potential champion after winning the Italian Open in Rome last week, faces French wildcard Stephanie Foretz in her opening match.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/05/25/tennis.draw/

[bulit]

today's qualification matches. This is only few matches for afternoon.

14:00 2016 PASHANSKI GIL : 1,75 1,85
15:30 2032 PETKOVIC LAINE E. : 1,50 2,20
14:00 2017 CILIC STAKHOVSKY : 1,30 2,80
15:30 2033 ARVIDSSON SAVCHUK : 1,70 1,90
14:00 2018 HAEHNEL FRAILE : 1,70 1,90
14:00 2019 CAPDEVILLE SILVA J. : 1,55 2,10
14:00 2020 ROCHUS C. ZIB : 1,80 1,80
14:00 2021 ULIHRACH GIRALDO : 1,60 2,00

Cilic is my first pick. He is young but very strong player and I think he will easily win Stakhovsky. First two round he won very easy all with 2:0.
Second pick is Capdeville. He is not such a good player but I go on him because I saw Silva and I can tell you he can't beat anybody. He's terrible.
All in all nothing special today in France exept France 2 last round
We are waiting for monday and big bets in France.
GL

[bulit]

Originally Posted by bulit

Cilic is my first pick. He is young but very strong player and I think he will easily win Stakhovsky. First two round he won very easy all with 2:0.
Second pick is Capdeville. He is not such a good player but I go on him because I saw Silva and I can tell you he can't beat anybody. He's terrible.
All in all nothing special today in France exept France 2 last round
We are waiting for monday and big bets in France.
GL

Cilic won 2:0
Capdeville won 2:1

Now I have more money for monday

[Wittmann 44]

Well Federer must be fairly pleased with his draw. Along with the 3rd quarter it to me looks the easiest. The danger seeds look to be Robredo (whom he leads 7-0) and possibly Ferrero. Ljubcic is limited on clay, Safin is too patchy , Volandri and Youznhy have done nothing in Paris. Robredo's form has been mixed but he has made the 4th round or better in his last 4 appearances and he always seems to raise his game here. He is in the section of the draw with Safin, Volandri and Ljubcic whom I think he is better than.

The second quarter looks very tricky - you've got players in form (Davydenko, Chela, Monfils,Gonzalez), decent hometown player (Gasquet, Monfils) and players with great Roland Garros records (Nalbandian). Davydenko has been very solid on clay this year and he has made a QF and SF in his last two visits here. He also has a fairly straightforward progress to the last 32 to get warmed up. Chela's form is good but he has disappoined in the Slams. I'd say the same about Gonzalez at Roland Garros.Monfils is showing signs of recovery with a final appearance in Austria but I saw two of his matches and for every ace he seemed to serve a double fault. Gasquet might go well here - reasonable form and playing at home will help. For value I'm having a few quid on Nalbandian despite his much publicised injury problems. Outside Nadal he has easily the best Roland Garros record of the last 3 years - 2SF and 1 4th Round appearance. He has an easy start against Lee and would then face either Pastor or Pashanki so he might be able to play himself into some form. At odds well over 200 worth a ew quid. If everything went well a QF against DAveydenko looks a possibility and he has beaten him in 5 from 7.

3rd quarter looks the weakest to me. Roddick is trhe major seed here and Roddick and clay do not mix at the higher end of things. He has a terrible opener against Andreev and then faces either Massu or Horna either of whom could put him out. The other seeds in this section have bar one or two major questsions over them - Hrbaty is ina major slump, Mayer is very inconsistent, clay is not Bagdatis's surface (ditto Tursonov). Ferrer looks a reasonable shout to get out of this quarter as is Djokovic. Nadal put the young Serb out last year and his form is againn good this year although Ferrer leads him 2-0 on clay and showed some very good form in Dusseldorf. Tough to call. In the bottom 1/2 pf this quarter it realistically could be anyone from 4 or 5 players but I can't see a SF from here.

4th quarter has Nadal, Moya, Berdych a reurgent Hewitt , Blake and a few floaters that might be dangerous if they can get things together . I don't think this is a particularly bad draw for Nadal.If things break as they should he would face a last 16 clash with Hewitt (winnable) and a possible last 8 with anyone from Kohlscreiber, Moya, Berdych.

Predications

Top 1/4

Federer (but no value) (value in Ferrero)
Robred0

Second 1/4
Davydenko (value in Nalbandian)
Gasquet

Third 1/4
Djokovic (value in Ferrer)
Andreev

Fourth 1/4
Moya
Nadal

Interest punts for me on

Robredo 260/1 - 0.5 Units
Nalbandian 250/1 - 0.5 Units
Ferrer 120/1 - 1 Unit
Gasquet 120/1 - 1 Unit

[Wittmann 44]

http://weather.msn.com/hourly.aspx?w...ns=wc:FRXX0076

Keep an eye on the weather in Paris. Looks like rain which will keep the courts slow and play towards the clay courters and away from the big servers. Roddick , Blake and Ljubcic will be more vulnerable in this type of weather.