Currently bwin.com are offering sports betting odds on a special bet for the French Open which is who will finish higher in the French Open. The candidates are Roger Federer at 3/1, Rafael Nadal at 11/50 and for odds for them both exiting the tournament in the same round at 13/1. The high odds for both exiting the tournament in the same round is because one or both are likely to make the final as they will not meet until the final as the number one and number two seeds.

Nadal’s relief at winning his sixth consecutive Monte Carlo tennis tournament was evident by his exuberant celebrations and this was his first title in 11th months. Partly due to a dip in form and partly due to injury problems he has not been the massive force in Tennis that he was during 2007 – 2009 where he denied Federer so many additional Grand Slam wins. This win propels him back into the top category of players and his amazing record at the French Open suggests when the Tennis odds from bwin very soon he will probably be odds on favourite.

Andy Murray has fallen by the wayside in terms of challenging for a Grand Slam and has not looked nearly as hungry or convincing since he lost to Federer in the Australian Open final. He looks set to fall down the ranking list if he continues to suffer defeats in the early rounds of the big tournaments. Roger Federer is still dangerous, but has not dominated the game for some time and I think Nadal would beat him in the final if played now. Federer’s success at the French came against Soderling, I am unsure if he can beat Nadal at his best on clay. Previous results between the two players suggest not also.

In the ladies tournament, things are more open. Victoria Azarenka has tremendous resolve and is due for a good run in a major tournament if only she can keep the crowd on side as her temper can let herself down when the pressure is on. Na Li from China has done well in recent Grand Slams and has a chance, as does Clijsters, Kusnetsova, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Jankovic. Most of the betting action will surround perennial Grand Slam challengers the Williams sisters who will be tough to beat. British hopes for a decent run in the ladies event lie with Elena Baltacha who is riding high at a career high 59th in the world rankings. Anne Keothavong was also ranked highly before a serious knee injury last summer so hopefully she can also do well as she continues her recovery.

In the Men’s game I would watch the form of Nadal, Djokovic and Gael Monfils carefully. Playing in front of his home crowd on his favourite surface could see Monfils have a surprise run with good odds. Gael has been widely tipped and has done well in the French Open in the past. As well as Clijsters, Henin, Williams V & S, Dementieva and Jankovic look carefully at the form of Wozniacki and Azarenka in the ladies tournament.

I like Victoria Azarenka to have a really good run if she gets a decent draw. She is fast and determined, just like Nadal and could do very well. She will probably be around 16/1 when the odds are released and could be worth an each way wager early.

By Malcolm Clarke