The French Open is reaching a conclusion and, despite tough conditions in Paris, many of the big guns still remain in the men’s draw with world number one Novak Djokovic among those set to battle for a place in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
The women’s side looked more open from the outset and that has proved to be the case but Grand Slam champions Petra Kvitova and Sofia Kenin remain in the tournament and have the chance to make the last four.
Novak Djokovic’s US Open charge came to an end when he accidentally struck a line judge with the ball in a match against Pablo Carreno Busta. He faces the Spaniard again with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.
Djokovic has looked in superb form in Paris but Pablo Carreno Busta has the ability to frustrate opponents, an attribute that almost certainly contributed to the Serb’s New York disqualification.
Just 1/15 to advance this time, Djokovic will be expected to pass this test but 33/4 chance Carreno Busta is unlikely to be a pushover and may be able to nab a set. The favourite to win 3-1 is on offer at a tempting 5/2.
Rublev Can Continue to Trouble Tsitsipas
Andrey Rublev warmed up for the French Open by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of the Hamburg Open last month and lightning could well strike twice on Wednesday.
Tsitsipas is the higher ranked player and favoured in the betting at 5/8 but he must overcome a negative head-to-head record against the rising Russian star, who looks ready to challenge for Grand Slam glory on a regular basis.
Rublev reached the quarter-finals of the US Open last month and is on a nine-match unbeaten run. He should be brimming with confidence and is a lively outsider at 27/20.
Siegemund Aiming to Test Red-Hot Kvitova
Laura Siegemund is enjoying her best ever Grand Slam run and the German, who is at her most dangerous on clay, will hope to trouble Petra Kvitova.
Blessed with raw power, Kvitova has bulldozed her way to the last eight and is eyeing a spot in a French Open semi-final for only the second time in her career.
A two-time Wimbledon winner, Kvitova is just 4/13 to advance and was a dominant winner in her only previous meeting with Siegemund at the 2015 US Open, but the surface could be a leveller. Backing Kvitova to win 2-1 at 49/20 makes plenty of appeal.
Focused Kenin Should Best Compatriot
Danielle Collins boasts a surprising 3-0 head-to-head record over her compatriot Sofia Kenin but the Australian Open champion has a great chance to narrow that margin.
Both players have the appetite for the big stage – Collins is a Grand Slam semi-finalist – and this one could go the distance as has been the case for both players in three of their four matches.
However, Kenin has recent form in the book and is arguably a better clay-courter than her fellow American. Looking fit and focused, the 21-year-old deserves to be favourite at 4/7.
* All odds correct at time of writing