Day nine at Roland Garros: French Open betting preview, tips & TV details

Day nine
ITV4 & Eurosport 1, from 10am

Halep v Swiatek

The French Open women’s singles draw is opening up beautifully for Simona Halep, but the question is whether the Romanian is playing well enough to retain the title.

Her 6-2 6-1 hammering of Lesia Tsurenko reads well, but Halep has won all eight of her meetings with the Ukrainian and has dropped only one set in the 16 they have contested.

Prior to that third-round outing, Halep had looked unconvincing in triumphs over Ajla Tomljanovic and Magda Linette.

So, with the bookmakers possibly having overreacted to Halep dropping just three games in her latest singles start, punters may be getting the chance to support the exciting Iga Swiatek at enhanced odds for her date with the Roland Garros champion.

Swiatek worked wonders to fight back from a bagel set loss to defeat 2016 Olympic gold medallist Monica Puig 0-6 6-3 6-3. Puig was starting to fancy her chances in Paris so that has to go down as a fine victory.

Punters can chance Swiatek at a big price to upset Halep, but even those backers who are less sure that the outsider can pull off a victory can back Swiatek with a handicap start of 5.5 games.

Recommendations
I Swiatek +5.5 games
2pts 4-5 general
I Swiatek
1pt 17-4 RedZone

Fognini v A Zverev

The oddsmakers like Fabio Fognini’s prospects against Alexander Zverev, but it’s a slight surprise to see the Italian made favourite to stop the young German.

Fognini punters might have been hoping for better odds but while Zverev is slowly but surely getting better in majors, there’s no doubt Monte Carlo Masters champion Fognini is believing in himself more this season.

Fognini was excellent in his 7-6 6-4 4-6 6-1 victory over 18th seed Roberto Bautista Agut, who is a threat to most on any terrain.

That win in itself probably should not entitle the ninth seed to favour­itism in this match but the prices may be more down to Zverev, who has made it past the fourth round of a major only once.

Recommendation
F Fognini
1pt 10-11 Coral, Ladbrokes, RedZone

Thiem v Monfils

Taking on Dominic Thiem, who is probably one of the top three clay-courters, is seldom easy because the Austrian, to his credit, has the ability to find another gear at Roland Garros.

However, considering Thiem is up against Gael Monfils, who has not dropped a set in his homeland and is capable of going all the way at Roland Garros, it could pay to place a little faith in Elina Svitolina’s boyfriend.

Thiem is so dangerous that there is little point in betting big on Monfils, but thankfully a few firms are betting on alternative set handicaps and with La Monf being capable of troubling his opponent but not necessarily being able to win the day, back him to win at least two sets.

Recommendation
G Monfils +1.5 sets
1pt Evs BoyleSports

Khachanov v Del Potro

Juan Martin del Potro has played well since his return from injury, but the Argentinian has yet to be threatened in the French Open and he has often gone to compete at Roland Garros with thoughts of Wimble­don at the back of his mind.

At his best he is more than capable of defeating Karen Khachanov, but the Russian is improving and should be viewed as a genuine threat to anyone given the power at his disposal.

Khachanov may have greater strength of purpose too, so the outsider can be chanced with a handicap start of 4.5 games.

Recommendation
K Khachanov +4.5 games
1pt 4-6 Betway, Coral, Ladbrokes

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