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Settled Federer can make a mockery of odds for French Open

| 17.03.2014

Roger Federer has been flying under the radar this season and this has left his price for a second French Open crown an attractive one.

The Swiss legend has only played four events this campaign and with one title, two final appearances and a run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open to his name there are only a handful of players who could be considered as having such an effective season so far.

Roland Garros has been Federer’s least fertile Grand Slam terrain with his single victory on the Major clay coming back in 2008. However, considering he has been competing in the same era as the most talented clay courter in the history of the game his record in Paris is nothing short of staggering.

Since getting knocked out in the third round by previous winner Gustavo Kuerten in 2003, Federer has reached the last-eight twice, semi-finals twice and lost four finals, with five of those eight defeats coming to Rafael Nadal.

The 32-year-old has been priced at 20/1 for this year’s renewal since the start of the season, inconsiderate of the fact he is playing better than he has been for some time.

Federer made the bold and, at the time, curious decision to change the racquet which had helped him to all 17 of his Grand Slam haul but now the move is paying dividends.

Logic would dictate that the equipment switch was a move made as much to help psychologically than for any technical enhancement but importantly there are no more doubts about the issue and the extra clarity in his game is producing results.

And with doubts about several of the other top players in the game including the out of form Andy Murray and injury-plagued Juan Martin Del Potro, Federer’s passage to another final at least may not be out of the question.

If the form book is read word for word Federer would have to meet at least one of Novak Djokovic or Nadal en route, however, the plot can be lost and at the prices it is worth the risk.

There cannot be many 20/1 shots who have been in such good form and with as much experience as Federer leading up to a Grand Slam.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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Author

Sam Foster