2011 French Open Men’s Draw

A look at the 2011 French Open Men’s draw betting markets reveals much about where bookmakers’ statisticians think the French Open title is likely to go. Priced at odds below evens, Rafael Nadal is an overwhelming favourite to take his sixth French Open title, equalling the record set by Bjorn Borg.

Lucky six for Nadal?

Rafael Nadal has been strong on the clay court circuit once again in 2011, winning the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open. However, it hasn't all gone Nadal's way, as he failed to defend his Madrid Masters title against the resurgent Novak Djokovic - who is the top ranking player on tour this season. And it is Djokovic that Nadal will have to keep an eye on if he is to win in Paris in 2011.

Novak Djokovic

Bookies have Novak Djokovic priced just below 3/1 in their outright betting markets for the 2011 French Open. What this tells us is they aren't too keen on the idea of paying out each-way bets if Djokovic makes the final. If the best statisticians in the game think he'll make the final we should sit up and take note. There is absolutely no doubt that Novak Djokovic is the form player on the tour at present, and is yet to lose a match in 2011. Whether he can beat Nadal in a final remains to be seen, but we get the feeling that he'll have a lot of backers in this tournament.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer increasingly appears to be a spent force in international tennis. Fed has reached just one final this season, losing to Djokovic in the Dubai Duty Free tournament in Abu Dhabi. There's no question that Federer has both the game and the temprament to win another Grand Slam, but he seems to be lacking in the hunger department, and this would ultimately prove to be his undoing if he came up against the likes of Murray, Nadal or Djokovic during the course of the 2011 French Open.

The Field

There are several Spanish players who look like they could make an impression at Roland Garros in 2011. David Ferrer is in fine form on clay while Nicolas Almagro has also put together a string of good results. Ultimately Ferrer looks like a good bet to make the semifinals, and depending on how the draw plays out could well book himself a berth in the 2011 French Open Final.