French Open Woman's Final Pick (June 9th)

We have got down to the final two ladies in the Women's event and while one of the players will not have surprised too many people, the other is a big story.

Maria Sharapova has a chance to win her first French Open and also complete a career Grand Slam, but I think this is more important for her for another reason. I think a win for Sharapova will give her even more confidence that she can join some of the more illustrious names in the history of the Women's game by winning a few more Grand Slams.

Even if Sharapova wins, it will mean she has four Grand Slam titles and that is still a long way short of Serena Williams and a few short of Venus Williams and I think the Russian has the desire to be in the same bracket as those two players. She has lost the last two Grand Slam Finals she has contested in Australia this year and at Wimbledon last year, so there is a mental hurdle for her to overcome.

On the other hand, Sara Errani would be a big surprise as the player to come out of the top half of the draw. Don't be mistaking it as a fluky run as she has beaten some big names like Ana Ivanovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Sam Stosur and she is clearly comfortable on clay having won the Women's Doubles title with Roberta Vinci.

Errani has had a wonderful season on the clay and she deserves this opportunity and it will be interesting to see how she handles the nerves that will surely accompany her on to the court, especially early in the contest. It will be key for the Italian to try and hang tough early as Sharapova is a great front runner and she doesn't want to find herself down by a set in double quick time because that is a long road back.

I am hoping it will be a fun Final.


However, I won't lie and will be hoping Maria Sharapova doesn't make the Final too much fun. Anyone who followed the outright picks at the start of the tournament will know we have already picked up 4 units thanks to Sharapova reaching this stage and now we have her at 9.00 to win the title.

Some may want to steady their position by putting a few units on Errani to cover all eventualities, but I think Sharapova is probably going to be too strong so I am going to keep the outright as it is.


MY PICK: No pick- Got Maria Sharapova in the outrights so no need to go back in


FRENCH OPEN UPDATE: 22-23, + 3.36 Units (75 Units Staked)