French Open women's singles tips: Swiatek on fire, but beware dangerous outsiders

Anything is possible

It’s the second Grand Slam of the season as the tennis world heads to the clay courts of Roland Garros in Paris to see who can claim the French Open title. 

We have a red-hot favourite for the event in Iga Swiatek, but in women’s tennis over the last few years we’ve come to learn that anything is possible. 

The landscape has changed so much in the last couple of years with Serena Williams not around, Naomi Osaka’s problems and Ash Barty’s shock retirement after winning the Australian Open in January. 

It means that we head to Roland Garros with only two players ranked in the top eight having won a Grand Slam – with Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova both successful in the last two French Opens. 

Crucially, both of them won the French Open title as unseeded players, and with so much movement in the women’s game, could we again see someone come from nowhere to claim the title? 

Danielle Collins has enjoyed some excellent results on clay this year and is one of a few dangerous outsiders

Swiatek hot favourite after unbeaten run 

World number one Iga Swiatek is the 1.97 favourite and the shortest-priced player here for many a year, through a combination of her long 28-match unbeaten run and the sheer dominance of her displays. 

Swiatek took the title here in 2020, and the Pole hasn’t lost a match since February and has in fact lost just a set as she’s been steamrollering opponents at will. Oh, and clay is her favourite surface. 

One good consequence of having such a hot favourite is that there is value around for some of the other main contenders, including Ons Jabeur who is a 14 shot as second favourite. 

The Tunisian made the final in three of the big four clay court events building up to this, and won in Madrid when Swiatek wasn’t playing. She’s also in the opposite side of the draw to the favourite. 

Simona Halep is now a veteran as a 30-year-old and that experience could count here as a 17 chance despite being down in 19th in the world rankings. 

She’s a multiple Grand Slam winner, including at Roland Garros where she’s made three finals, so could easily rise to the occasion here with Serena Williams’ coach now in her corner. 

Halep is scheduled to meet Swiatek in the fourth round though, which is a big negative on current form, and the same goes for world number three Paula Badosa, who was pushed out to 28 when she landed in Swiatek’s half of the draw. 

Bigger prices in with a shout 

Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova is a big price at 60 to defend her title, but despite winning both the singles and doubles here last year, a recent elbow problem has hindered her. 

Aryna Sabalenka has slipped down from second to seventh in the rankings, but made two Grand Slam semi-finals last year and has a game suited to clay. 

The 24-year-old won on clay in Madrid last year and made a final and semi-final in the build-up events, being beaten by Swiatek both times, who she could meet again here in the semis, but as a 28 shot should give you a run for your money. 

Belinda Bencic is the Olympic champion and won on clay in April this year, and at a price of 46 is worth consideration given she knows what it takes to win on the big stage. 

Naomi Osaka is at 70 to rediscover her old form while Amanda Anisimova has chances at 40, having previously made the semis here as a teenager and also making the semis on the clay of Charleston this year. 

Clay may not be the best surface for Emma Raducanu, who is 65 and still trying to find consistency after winning last year’s US Open in remarkable style, while Victoria Azarenka is out at 70, and at the same price Danielle Collins is probably worth keeping more of an eye on after some good results on clay this season. 

It looks like Swiatek will march away with this title, but you just never know in women’s tennis and we might just have another shock result.  

Recommended bets 

Iga Swiatek @ 1.98 

Ons Jabeur @ 16 

Aryna Sabalenka @ 28