French Open day 1: Five super Sunday tips from first round fixtures

Troicki to defeat Dimitrov

The tie of the first round in the men’s singles draw has to be unseeded Grigor Dimitrov doing battle with Viktor Troicki in an all-Eastern European affair.

Unseeded Bulgarian player Dimitrov is actually favourite for this match, but has seen his form dramatically drop away. Serbia number two Troicki, meanwhile, won their last battle in Sydney and is 6/4 to repeat victory.

Chardy comes through Mayer match in four

Men’s 30th seed Jeremy Chardy is competing at his home Grand Slam for the 10th time in his career, and will have the French crowd behind him as he tackles Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer.

As he dropped a set to his fellow clay court specialist at the Canadian Masters last year, Chardy certainly appeals to win their latest encounter 3-1 at tasty 3/1 odds.

Brengle to beat Vesnina

While neither Madison Brengle of the USA nor Elena Vesnina has made much of an impression at the French Open over the years, there is some value in backing the American to overcome her more experienced Russian opponent.

Brengle looks a brilliant at 7/4 to beat Vesnina and bridge a gap of 20 places in the fluid WTA world rankings.

Watson to be given tough game by Gibbs

Great Britain’s Heather Watson has lost her only previous encounter with French Open first round foe Nicole Gibbs.

While the American won in Seoul on a hard surface in 2014, Watson is now knocking on the door of the women’s top 50, so looks well worth taking at 11/4 for victory in three sets.

Related

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