*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
*Match start times approximate and subject to change
1:45pm: Iga Świątek v Coco Gauff
TV: Eurosport 1
In your face, aggressive, relentless. This is how Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described his style of ‘heavy metal’ football. You wouldn’t be out of place using these adjectives to describe the latest star of women’s tennis, Iga Swiatek. It was in fact quite apt that when quizzed about her choice of pre match music in the Roland Garros press room after her swift dismissal of Daria Kasatkina on Thursday, Swiatek referenced Led Zeppelin, the founders of heavy metal music.
The 21-year-old pole is experiencing an annus mirabilis with 34 straight wins this calendar year, including 15 successes on clay. Her latest defeat coming in Dubai last February against eventual tournament winner Jelena Ostapenko. A victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier tomorrow would see her equal this centuries record of consecutive victories, currently held by none other than Serena Williams.
I fully expect tomorrow’s final to follow the script with Swiatek continuing her hot streak. She’s unbeaten in her last 8 finals and is going for her 6th tournament win in a row. Only one set has been dropped by the polish native at Roland Garros and she’s looked very impressive in Paris.
You must respect any 18-year-old reaching a grand slam final and Coco Gauff is no back number. She’s the youngest player to reach the French Open final since Kim Clijsters in 2001 and has progressed to this stage without dropping a set. The American tends to get better as the game goes on and in her six games so far, the Atlanta native has won the first set on an aggregate of 38-21 compared to a vastly superior 37-13 in the second set. Factor in the inevitable nerves of a first grand slam final and this leads me to believe Coco could be slow to start. I can see Swiatek taking full advantage of this. The 2020 winner can use her experience of the big day to blow her opponent out of the water. Swiatek to win the first set 6-0, 6-1 or 6-2 stands out.
Swiatek cites Rafael Nadal as a major influence in her career. During her on-court interview after her semi-final victory, she noted the Spaniard saying, “He’s inspired me in every aspect”. This is particularly evident in the emphasis she puts on her fitness. Swiatek doesn’t stop and I don’t expect her to relent in the second set. This coupled with my prediction of a demolition in the first set could see the young American’s head drop. If this is the case, I can see Swiatek showing no mercy and hammering home the advantage. Under 18.5 Total Games @6/5 is a bet.
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Saturday’s tennis tips
Swiatek to win the first set 6-0, 6-1 or 6-2 stands out.
Under 18.5 Total Games @6/5 is a bet.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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