French Open 2005
 

Are there any "genuine" chances to win the French other than Federer, Nadal, Coria(though mentally weak) and Gaudio?
I know Ferrer, Safin etc are chances on their day to beat anybody on clay but this French Open looks to have only two or three genuine winning chances.

Dont discount Moya and (at about 50-1) Agassi unless there is some injury to either that I havent heard of. Unless he's hurt, Agassi is always a danger as his game is/was always best on slower surfaces (ie Paris and Melbourne) when it really counts. I feel that he is less motivated these days by the smaller tournaments ( like Sampras at the end) and MIGHT be keeping his powder dry for another Major.

Hi Guys


Wondering if you would like to join us on the ATP thread for discussions on the mens side of French Open.

I have posted my preview there.

karla

Both Agassi and Moya available at 100/1 and personally I wouldn't back either at that price to even make the final let alone win it. Both players are past their best and potentially gruelling successive five set matches on clay is beyond both of them.

Moya this morning showed why there was plenty of $101 to win this title. Hope you kept your money in your pocket punter57.

The "big three" (Federer, Nadal and Coria) are sure doing it easily at the moment. A Fed/Nadal semi looks a formality and Coria/Canas "might" be the other semi.

Agassi got injured although this is always a worry when you are in your 30's and playing potential gruelling fives setters on clay. 100/1 was bad value.

I am not saying this "after the event". I said that I wouldn't take 100/1 about either Agassi or Moya to even make the final let alone win it.

Morning Macca!
I WAS on Agassi and have done the hundred. Don't forget, Macca, that picking mostly favs for the Major tournaments will see your profits tumble or be obliterated if only one or two are "surprised" by someone (ie Gaudio last year and Safin in the Aust). One upset a la Sampras (U.S. 2002 30-1) now gives me 21 more picks at the BOOKIES expense (ie 9 Majors have gone by and 9 units lost of the 30 units profit) while Ivanisevic at 100-1 (Wimbledon 2001) already had given me the "luxury" of 25 years to get it right before that. What it means is that I have to suffer 31 years (ie 124 units up at this point) of losses before I'll be in "in the hole" again . Can you honestly say that there won't be another "bolter" get up before 2037 (will I be on him? mmmm). The bookies got/get rich on the punters (mostly) backing favs and ALWAYS cheer mightily when a boilover occurs : wouldn't it be better to be with them (cheering) instead of picking up their crumbs???? All the best and, seriously, good luck with your choices, (especially whichever was the LONGEST price!!!).

punter57,

I agree with you 100% about looking for the value overall.

My initial query on other genuine chances related solely to THIS French Open.
I happened to be on Gaston Gaudio last year at 66/1 as well as Federer, Coria and Canas.

This years field looked at little weak outside the Top 3. I give Ferrer, Gaudio, Canas and Safin ROUGH chances this year but don't expect the eventual winner to come from outside the Top 3. This year just had a "favourites" look about it but upsets do occur.