Djokovic to come through Dimitrov test

 

Arguably the most eagerly anticipated match of the French Open so far takes place today when world number one Novak Djokovic faces Grigor Dimitrov. Sean Calvert  selects the best bets in Paris today..

 

Kevin Anderson provided a nice winning bet for this column on Friday, with a straight sets victory over Milos Raonic.

 

I said yesterday that Raonic was too short at 1.7 and in the end it was comfortable for the big South African, whose game was too big for the Canadian on the day.

 

Unfortunately, Jeremy Chardy was in wasteful mood and only made a single set competitive against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Robin Haase dropped serve in the final game of  his clash with Jerzy Janowicz to foil my handicap bet by that one game.

 

As for Rafa Nadal, it's getting to the stage now with Rafa that you have to check the weather forecast at the exact moment he's about to step on court because it makes  such a big difference to the effectiveness of his game on this surface.

 

Being shunted on at 10am did not please Nadal one bit as he showed in the post-match interview and in cold, damp conditions his forehand is nowhere near as effective  and consequently he doubts himself and becomes less aggressive and less of an offensive force.

 

Klizan was able to push him around and a lack of belief was the main barrier between the Slovakian and a shock win.

 

The match of the day on Saturday at Roland Garros has to be an eagerly awaited rematch between Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov, with the young upstart looking to  back up his victory over the world number one in Madrid.

 

Conditions here will be a fair bit slower than those prevailing that day in the Spanish capital and it will be fascinating to see if Dimitrov can push Djokovic again  in different conditions.

 

Djokovic may well have been struggling with an ankle problem that day and it has to be noted that Dimitrov is as yet unproven over the longer best of five set format.

 

The Bulgarian has played just three matches that have gone to five sets in his career and for me his stamina is suspect, but he has what it takes to grab a set and I  think that's all he'll take from this and the options for my money are to lay Djokovic 3-0 at around 1.7 or back him to win 3-1 at 4.3 for a more expansive wager.

 

I also like the chances of Tommy Haas and Phillip Kohlschreiber in a double that pays around 1.77 today.

 

Haas is taking on an exhausted John Isner, who had a five set marathon against fellow countryman Ryan Harrison yesterday and Haas can make it a quickfire American  double after beating Jack Sock yesterday.

 

The only time that Isner has won his next match at a slam after going five sets the previous round was against Louk Sorenson in Melbourne in 2010 and with all due  respect to Louk, he's no Tommy Haas.

 

I would fancy Tommy for this anyway on clay, but I can't see Isner lasting the distance on a quick turnaround.

 

Hanescu has been rather fortunate to get to this stage so easily after both of his opening round opponents retired and particularly in the match with Dmitry Tursunov  who was leading when he quit and over five sets I can't see him beating Kohlschreiber, who himself will be fresh after a walkover in round two.

 

Recommended Bets

Back Djokovic to beat Dimitrov 3-1 at 4.3

Back Haas and Kohlschreiber in a double at 1.77

 

Bet HERE

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