2013 French Open Preview – Futures, Winners, and Advice
Things to know about the French open for those new to tennis: This is the lone major of the year played on Clay. Clay is slower and as a result the points are longer and it always favors players in great shape and those who are steady, allowing them to construct points rather then playing into the hands of big hitters who want to end points in less then three shots. Betting on Spaniards, Argentinians, and against Americans blind isn’t the worst strategy for this event.
Written by Adam Chemerinsky
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Conditions: The Forecast says rain is a possibility the first week. If this is true, expect the court to be even slower because the ball will be heavier and won’t bounce as high either. Know how this suits your player before wagering on a match where rain could interfere with your expectations. However, every rain delay is unique, don’t live bet off your pick just because it rains.
Future market: I will be shocked if Rafa does not bite into the trophy and win this tournament. However at -150 pre tournament odds I think a ML rollover starting in the 3rd round is the best way to go about making money on him. Nadal was -205 vs Djokovic in their lone clay court meeting this year and Djokovic won in straight sets. The ML rollover will pay better then -150 assuming they indeed meet in the semis.
The bottom half of the draw: Rafa and Djok are on the top half; Andy Murray and Del Potro are injured and not playing. This means the bottom half is open to a possible outsider to make a run at the finals. I have hit Ernests Gulbis at 175-1 and 150-1 and I don’t think it’s completely far fetched for him to make the quarterfinals. His biggest test will be second round vs. Tomas Berdych.
First round plays: Granollers -175, GRANOLLERS/TROICKI +100 ML PARLAY, PCB +8.5 TO COVER AGAINST FEDERER. JERZY JANOCWICZ -120
Best Bet in Round 1: Over in isner vs berlocq. Expect this line to come out tomorrow as the highest opener of any first round and for good reason.
Favorite value plays/upsets in Round 1: Steve Johnson +290, Del Bonis +140
First round players to include in parlays: Troicki, Alex Kuznetsov, Paul Kohlscreiber, Tommy Haas, Guillermo Garcia Lopez, Audrey Kuznetosov, Fognini, Kubot, Florian Mayer,
Pretenders: Almagro has a bad hip that bothers him much more then he is letting on to the media. Tipsarevic wont be priced as a top 10 player as he is in a tailspin losing to anyone and everyone lately.
Unseeded and looming: the ageless Tommy Robredo and Ernests Gulbis,
