2012 French Open Semifinals Odds and Free Picks: Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer vs Rafael Nadal: Another Grand Slam semifinal is upon us, and with the exception of sixth-seeded David Ferrer, it is the usual suspects vying for the title. The top three seeds are all still standing at the French Open, although some needed to work a little hard than others. Ferrer is the wild card in what promises to be another battle between the world’s best tennis players with a major championship up for grabs.
2012 French Open Semifinals Odds and Free Picks
No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 3 Roger Federer
This is a rematch of a French Open semifinal meeting last season. In that battle, Federer derailed the hottest player in the game, snapping Djokovic’s 43-match winning streak. “The Joker” hasn’t lost a Grand Slam match since, and he enters Thursday’s meeting with Federer with his sights set on becoming the fourth player in history to win all four major championships in succession. Federer, on the other hand, is looking to add a second French Open title to his record-setting 16 career major titles. With both players coming off come-from-behind, thrilling five-set victories in the quarterfinals, a grueling showdown could be on tap.
Clay isn’t the best surface for either player, but both have improved over the years. Federer holds a slight edge in head-to-head meetings on the surface and in majors in general. He owns a 14-11 career record against Djokovic, including a 5-4 record in Grand Slams and 3-2 record on clay. Of course, Djokovic has been the better overall player of late, winning three straight majors and four of the last five. Still, the fact that Federer was the only man to defeat him at a major during his current hot streak has to loom large in the mind of Djokovic.
In general, Federer just seems to have a style of play that bothers Djokovic, especially on clay. Federer might not have the baseline speed that he did when he dominated the sport, but he is a much smarter and savvier player these days. Last year, he was able to take advantage of the subtle nuances of the clay surface to use Djokovic’s aggressiveness against him. Federer dispatched “The Joker” in four sets at Roland Garros last year, and the No. 1 player in the world has closed the gap since then, Federer will still get the better of his rival on the clay surface in what should be another marathon for both men.
Prediction: Roger Federer Wins in 5 Sets
No. 2 Rafael Nadal vs. No. 6 David Ferrer
With a victory over fourth-seeded Andy Murray in the quarterfinals, Ferrer is the lone surprise in the French Open semifinals. His prize for pulling off the upset is a match with the best player in the history of the tournament. To his credit, Ferrer does own a recent win in a major against Nadal, knocking him off in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open last season. However, Nadal is a perfect 4-0 in their meetings since, with all four victories coming on clay and three of those coming in tournament finals.
Looking at Nadal’s numbers in the French Open and on clay in general, Ferrer definitely has his work cut out for him. The six-time tournament champ is 50-1 in his matches at Roland Garros, and he has won his last 45 sets on clay surfaces. Not only that, he has yet to lose a set in this year’s event and has lost just five total sets in the six years he has won the French Open. Nadal has not only won a record-tying six titles in a seven-year span, but he has done so in dominating fashion.
Ferrer has definitely earned his way into the semifinals, and any player that makes it this far has a chance. However, his chances of beating Nadal are so slim they aren’t even worth trying to quantify. Barring an injury or some other unforeseen event that keeps Nadal from taking the court, Ferrer is going to become the next victim to get steamrolled as Nadal roars back the French Open finals in pursuit of history.
Prediction: Rafael Nadal Wins in 3 Sets
2012 ATP French Open Odds – Tennis Betting
2012 ATP French Open Semifinals Odds
Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer
Novak Djokovic -180
Roger Federer +155
David Ferrer vs Rafael Nadal
David Ferrer +800
Rafael Nadal -1200
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on the 2012 ATP French Open! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN BOVADA Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get a 20% BONUS FREE. |