It is semi-final day at the French Open on Friday with both men’s and both women’s last four matches being played on what should be an exciting day in the French capital ahead of the finals over the weekend.
Thursday recap
It was a disastrous day for us on Thursday with both our bets losing. Tomas Berdych ran into the best we’ve seen of Novak Djokovic in this tournament and despite serving for the opening set Timea Bacsinszky weakened badly and was well beaten so we’ve plenty to build on for Friday.
Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic both made it through on Thursday with Dominic Thiem and Kiki Bertens joining them. Williams had to come from a set down to see off Yulia Putintseva while Thiem came from a set down to beat David Goffin. Things were much more straight forward for Djokovic and Bertens who won in straight sets.
Men’s Semi-Finals
Djokovic vs Thiem has been shoved on Suzanne Lenglen on Friday which is a slight surprise but it will still be a good match to watch for those with tickets to that court. Prior to the quarter finals I felt Thiem had every chance in this match but the way Djokovic played in the match with Tomas Berdych has sent me running for the hills so I’ll sit this one out.
I will get involved in the other match though where the defending champion Stan Wawrinka takes on Andy Murray in what should be a cracking match between clearly the third and second best players in the world. Wawrinka isn’t going to give his title up without a fight while Murray recognises the wonderful opportunity he has in front of him.
Murray holds an 8-7 lead in the head to heads between the two players but Wawrinka has won the previous three matches and in my mind there is no doubt that the Swiss player has played much the better tennis of the two in this tournament. Murray has had spells of excellence now and again but nothing like as sustained as Wawrinka and while I don’t expect this to be won easily I do expect Wawrinka to come through eventually.
Women’s Semi-Finals
Serena Williams will face Kiki Bertens on Philippe Chatrier while Garbine Muguruza goes up against Sam Stosur on Suzanne Lenglen to begin proceedings on Friday. You would think that this will equate to a Serena vs Muruguza final but it would be foolish to write off Kiki Bertens and Sam Stosur.
Serena showed signs of not having this all her own way on Thursday when she lost the first set of her quarter final and Bertens will be full of belief with the winning run she is currently on. Something tells me she could be dangerous for long enough to scupper a handicap but inexperience might go against her.
I’ve a feeling the other semi-final will be a really close match. They have met just the once in the past which Stosur won but she needed three sets to come through and I can see this one going the distance too although I’ve not got a strong enough feeling to act on it. I can see over 20.5 games landing in this match but off the back of a couple of bad days I’m not as confident as I’d like to be on that bet so I’ll leave it alone.
Tips
Back S.Wawrinka to beat A.Murray for a 4/10 stake at 2.15 with Betfair
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