The most physically demanding tennis tournament in the globe is upon us. The French Open, the second of the four annual Grand Slam tournaments, is traditionally played on top of the line clay courts – unlike the other three Grand Slams. The French Open is what the spring clay court season builds up to and is undeniably one of the best online tennis betting events of the year.
What makes the French Open so physically demanding is a combination of the lengthy 7-round process needed to win a championship, the slow play the clay court provides, and the best of five set the men’s singles matches employ. But the hardships athletes have to endure shouldn’t deter sports wagering fans from betting on the French Open. Rather, the rigorous conditions and fierce competition is the zenith of online tennis betting. So what has gone down so far in this year’s French Open?
French Open’s Action So Far
While the best online sportsbooks usually concern themselves with who’s winning and who’s not, this particular story is too good to pass up.
Maxime Hamou, a tennis player competing in the French Open that ironically hails from the country, recently got banned from the competition. The reason being that Hamou recently tried to kiss journalist Maly Thomas on live television. Thomas approached Hamou to conduct an interview, and it was clear Hamou was on high spirits. The tennis player proceeded to wrap his arm around the journalist’s head and shoulders, and then quickly went in for a smooch on her cheek, all the while she tried to squirm away.
This happened during a live broadcast, and the anchors watching proceeded to clap and laugh instead of rebuke Hamou. The French Tennis Federation (FTT) went on to criticize Hamou’s actions stating they were completely unacceptable.
Hamou went on to issue a public apology but the French Open isn’t hearing it as the player has been banned from the competition.
Putting aside TMZ-like headlines, there were some other online tennis betting favorites who have been exceptional so far and have really been making an impression. Sixth-seed Dominic Thiem is one of those names.
Thiem faced Bernard Tomic this past Sunday at Roland Garros. Thiem’s dominant performance caught the eye of many sports wagering fans, as well as the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov who made a splash with his defeat of Stephane Robert in a one-sided, straight sets win.
Other notable victories include Ivo Karlovic and Albert Ramos Vinolas in the men’s single bracket. On the other hand, the upset of the world’s No. 1 Angelique Kerber in the women’s bracket at the hands of Ekaterina Makarova still has the tennis world buzzing.
The Action Continues
The French Open continues this week with matches every day, offering betting fans the perfect opportunity to wager on tennis. Here are some of the most notable matches to be held this Wednesday.
French Open – Round of 64
Jiri Vesely +1½ (-170) – EV
Aljaz Bedene -1½ (+145) – -120
Ivo Karlovic +1½ (-150) – +125
Horacio Zeballos -1½ (+130) – -145
Joao Sousa +2½ (+260) – +2255
Novak Djokovic -2½ (-315) – -4015
