Olympic Women's Singles Betting Tips: Lay Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros
Andy Schooler
24 July 2024
Tennis expert Andy Schooler previews the women’s singles at the forthcoming Olympic Games – and highlights why Iga Swiatek may not have things all her own way.
Leading contenders
The last two Olympic champions have been Belinda Bencic and Monica Puig with the favourites nowhere – backing odds-on shots at this event looks fraught with danger.
Some of that can be put down to a calendar which puts two Grand Slam tournaments shortly before the Olympics. Another factor is the unfamiliar pressure of wearing national colours and performing for someone other than yourself.
The good news for Swiatek is that Paris 2024 is taking place on her beloved clay – she’s won four of the last five French Opens, a fact which explains her price.
But hotter conditions should speed things up a bit and give the bigger hitters a chance against her. Throw in the expectation and pressure and I think the Pole is a lay at the price.
I can see why Gauff has been chalked up as the second favourite – she made semis in Rome and at the French Open – but she’s been found wanting in the big matches this season which concerns me.
She is a former French Open finalist so isn’t averse to the clay but I feel she’s better on a hardcourt, the surface on which she won last year’s US Open.
Her forehand goes awry a bit too often – that was the case against Emma Navarro at Wimbledon – and I just don’t see any great value in her price.
A player with a big number of match wins under her belt in 2024 but another who hasn’t had the best record in the big ones.
Had looked good at both the French Open and Wimbledon but failed to make either final following upset defeats. Also lost finals in Doha and Miami.
On the plus side, she’s the only player to beat Swiatek on clay this season and her big serve should be even more dangerous in predicted temperatures of 30C-plus.
Outside chances
Strong server and clay lover – the Chinese has plenty going for her at Paris 2024.
Warmed up with a WTA title on the red dirt of Palmero last week and has clear potential at a decent price.
Made a big breakthrough at this year’s Australian Open, reaching the final, so now knows what it takes to go deep into a high-quality event such as this.
Olympic medals are highly valued in China so there are no concerns about her holding anything back for the forthcoming US Open.
It’s a little surprising to see a player who has just made both the French Open and Wimbledon finals at such a price.
Paolini has played some outstanding tennis in the past couple of months and arguably warrants more respect here.
She’ll be delighted to be back on the clay – her favourite surface – and confidence should be flowing.
Recent comments about the Olympics prove she’s all-in here (that may not be the case with some who still see the Grand Slams as more important) and she looks to hold strong medal claims, as long as fatigue isn’t an issue.
Olympic Tennis Women’s Singles Recommended Bets:
Lay Iga Swiatek @ 1.5
Back Qinwen Zheng @ 18.5
Back Jasmine Paolini @ 19.5
Andy Schooler
24 July 2024
