Watson favourite to win on French Open debut

After successfully negotiating three qualifying rounds to reach the French Open, Heather Watson is the odds-on favourite to beat Stephanie Foretz Gacon in the opening round at Roland Garros.

Watson is already targeting being the new British number one in the female ranks and a decent run at the French Open will certainly help with this goal.

The 19-year-old has been presented with a solid chance of reaching round two after drawing the French wildcard, who is positioned 21 places below her in the world rankings.

Watson is 8/11 in the French Open odds to beat Foretz Gacon, which would represent her first ever victory in one of the Grand Slams after her first round exit at Wimbledon last year.

Victory for Watson would take her into a probable round two clash with Estonia’s number 16 seed Kaia Kanepi.

Britain also have two other hopes of having a woman in the second round, with Elena Baltacha also having a strong chance after drawing a qualifier for her opening match.

World number 83 Baltacha will fancy her chances against American Sloane Stephens, who is ranked 55 places below her.

Yet despite this difference in rankings, Stephens is the 4/9 favourite to progress into a likely second round showdown with Dominika Cibulkova.

Patriotic punters or those who are fans of the rankings may decide that Baltacha is the better bet to secure victory at 13/8.

The other British entrant is Anna Keothavong and she takes on Russian Vesna Dolonts first, ahead of a possible second round encounter with defending French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.

Keothavong is 6/4 to secure victory.

A £30 stake on the British treble of Watson, Baltacha and Keothavong all winning would return £340. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.