Men's French Open Betting: Anderson to beat Raonic in battle of the big hitters

 

It was another rainy day at the French Open on Thursday, but the forecast looks better today and Sean Calvert is taking on a couple of big-hitting favourites at Roland Garros on Friday...

 

Day Five of the 2013 French Open was a washout as far as any of my players getting onto court was concerned on a day decimated by rain in Paris.

 

Rafa Nadal almost poked his head onto court for a moment, but only 17 singles matches were completed across the men's and ladies championships, leading to another backlog on Friday.

 

The perpetual drizzle is frustrating for players, fans and punters alike, but at least it gives us a chance to take a look ahead at some of the third round matches that with any luck will be played today.

 

Out on Court 7 at around 2pm UK time there is what could be a very interesting clash between two big serving types when Milos Raonic takes on Kevin Anderson and I like the chances of the latter as underdog in this one.

 

Anderson has improved leaps and bounds on clay in the last year or so and in a match that looks highly likely to go to at least four and possibly five sets I wouldn't have the Canadian as short as 1.7 for this.

 

Neither man is particularly good on return of serve and I would expect at least one tie break and the 3.5 game start given to Anderson on the handicap might well be pivotal in this match.

 

Their one previous encounter, which took place at San Jose, where Raonic has never lost a match, ended in a 7-5, 7-6 win for Milos, but I just fancy that this will be even closer, with Anderson +3.5 games at around 1.80 a good bet.

 

Another favourite, who I feel is too short in the betting is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who takes on compatriot Jeremy Chardy at around 3pm UK time on Court Philippe Chatrier.

 

Chardy is one to keep on your side when his confidence is up, as he showed by reaching the last eight in Melbourne with no previous recent form to speak of and although he may not beat Tsonga today he should at least take a set from the number six seed.

 

Jeremy has the power in his forehand to match Tsonga, as he showed by beating him in their most recent meeting on a hard court Masters 1000 in Toronto last season and in their first encounter on clay I would only have Tsonga as around a 60/40 chance to win this, as opposed to the odds of around 1.27 that he starts today.

 

It's worth a lay of the favourite in this one to win 3-0 at around 2.4.

 

Recommended Bets

Back Anderson 3.5 games to beat Raonic at 1.80

Lay Tsonga to beat Chardy 3-0 at 2.4

 

Bet HERE

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