WOZNIACKI AND SCHIAVONE CLASH FOR FRENCH OPEN SEMIS

Betting on the women’s singles quarterfinals begins today with Caroline Wozniacki vs. Francesca Schiavone. William Hill is trading Wozniacki as the 8/15 favourite while Schiavone is the 11/8 puppy.
Rising Danish tennis sensation Caroline Wozniacki, 19, doesn’t exactly cut an imposing presence with her sunny personality and counter-punching game and in spite of making her presence felt at every event she contests she hasn’t made a strong impression in tennis betting markets offered on her either.
Wozniacki is for example on the long side of Evens in set betting markets. She is trading at 11/8 and 11/4 to win in straight and three sets, respectively.
Last year, Wozniacki negotiated her way to a runner-up finish at the US Open (l. to Clijsters). Almost eight months later, she reaches the quarters at the French Open, two victories away from booking her spot in the final.
The World No.3’s path to the French Open final runs through Francesca Schiavone, 29, who is enjoying an inspired run in Paris. To date, this is Schiavone’s fourth career quarterfinal appearance at a Grand Slam. She has never been beyond this stage.
Schiavone reached the quarters of the French Open only once before in her career, in 2001 where she lost to Martina Hingis. In 2003, she reached the quarters at the US Open (l. to Capriati) and last year, managed a quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon where she succumbed to Elena Dementieva.
The way the bookies have carved the markets on this match indicates Schiavone has a reasonable shot at masterminding the upset.
In set betting markets, Schiavone is trading as the 13/4 and 15/4 puppy to take the match in straight and three sets, respectively.
The bookies seem to be splitting hairs whether this will be a two or three set affair. Two sets irrespective of a winner is listed at 4/7 while a three set affair is offered at a mere 6/5.
Wozniacki is on paper the better bet with her form on the season as well as her ranking. However, Schiavone is in with a real shot. She has a 1-0 edge over her opposite – albeit a two-year-old score—and she is playing some of her best tennis in a long time. This match might not be a straightforward as many expect.