French Open women’s final: Muguruza may stop Serena in gripping Roland Garros game

Williams wobbled in her semi-final fixture with plucky Paris performer and Dutch player Kiki Bertens, having to save set points and rally to a tiebreak victory in the opener. Serena was also broken again in the second set, but bounced back.

Muguruza, meanwhile, was rarely troubled by Australia’s 21st seed Sam Stosur, dropping just six games en route to a straight sets progression to what a second Grand Slam final for her.

Muguruza may be more composed than last summer

Looking back to the 2015 Wimbledon women’s final, 6-4 6-4 to Williams didn’t really tell the full story. Muguruza is no longer new to such a massive stage and, based on current form, should give a better account of herself her at Roland Garros.

Considering all this, the 6/5 price on offer for there to be over 2.5 sets in the 2016 French Open final is well worth taking.

Punters must decide whether the strong serve and power of Serena almost one year on from their last encounter are still as potent as fellow big-hitter Muguruza, who is 11 years her junior.

First set should be key

Although Muguruza is 3-1 down on Williams in overall head-to-heads, she has taken the opener 6-2 in two of their last three battles. A tasty 10/1 price on the rising Spanish star recording that result in the first set again is available.

It is bold to bet against Serena, but there is very little in the betting between Muguruza and her to win in three sets. Should you side with Williams to win 2-1, then odds of 11/4 are on offer.

Muguruza isn’t much longer at 7/2 to record that precise result so, if repeating the last Roland Garros game where she slew Serena, that could be a persuasive punt.

Related

Be sure to visit Coral’s tennis page throughout the French Open and Wimbledon for more tips and previews.

Coral’s top tip: Over 2.5 sets in the French Open final at 6/5 is fantastic value given the history between these two on clay. Muguruza may finally outmatch Williams here at 11/8.