Talented teenager Rublev can reach clay Slam finals

WTA Strasbourg International BT Sport 1, 1pm Friday
ATP Geneva Open Eurosport 2, 2pm Friday

Taro Daniel is no mug on clay and is generally a keen performer on the terrain, but the Japanese player could get outclassed by Andrey Rublev in the final round of French Open qualifying on Friday.

Eurosport 1 have been showing live action from Roland Garros all week from 9am and many tennis fans will hope they show this match to get a look at Rublev.

With very few players coming through to trouble the top echelon in recent years, the Russian teenager has been one of the most hyped players on tour.

He is 19 now and so it's about time he stepped up to the plate on clay and his price of a shade of odds-against could look huge after the match.

Rublev had to bide his time to defeat Mirza Basic 6-4 5-7 6-2 in round two, but a reproduction of his first-round 6-1 6-3 win over Agustin Velotti could see Daniel in trouble.

Heather Watson, the 13th seed in Roland Garros qualifying, will play Dutch fourth seed Richel Hogenkamp for a place in the main draw and ought to win.

There is live semi-final action today from the WTA Strasbourg and ATP Geneva events, while in Lyon Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will play 150-1 shot Nikoloz Basilash­vili for a place in tomorrow’s final.

Recommendation
A Rublev
4pts 11-10 Betfair, Betfred, Paddy Power