DEMENTIEVA, PETROVA IN ALL-RUSSIAN SHOWDOWN AT THE FRENCH OPEN QUARTERS

Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova have set up a scintillating all-Russian showdown at the French Open, a spot in the semis on the line. This women’s singles quarterfinal showdown is attention worthy and the tennis betting markets unveiled in their honour are tantalizing.
Dementieva enters this match as the world No.5 ranked player while Petrova is ranked just at the butt of the top 20, yet the lower-ranked Petrova receives the bookies favourite nod.
This casting most likely has to do with the fact that Petrova dismantled Venus Williams in the last 16 and overall faced tougher opponents en route to the quarters than Dementieva did.
Petrova has the slight upper hand in market estimation and as such, she is listed at 8/15. Dementieva, on the other hand, is just on the larger side of Evens, carrying a price of 11/8.
The tennis betting line is so tight though to negate any favourite and puppy marks attributed. In truth, both Petrova and Dementieva have an equal shot to advance.
Lifetime they are level 7-7 in head-to-heads and their series is made up of a 2-2 mark on clay. Very little separates these two and only adds to the drama and build up ahead of their clash.
Whichever way you slice this match there is value to be had.
Dementieva is listed at 13/4 and 15/4 to win in straight and three sets, respectively. Petrova is trading at 11/8 and 11/4 to win in straight or three sets, respectively. That both players are priced long off Evens is telling.
Those looking to back Dementieva to take the first set will find her at the disadvantage, trading at 11/10 while Petrova is offered favourably at 4/6. Exactly the same prices are on offer on each player for the second set ahead of the match.