French Open Betting Tips: Lajovic can cause Fritz all sorts of problems

Day four of the French Open was severely disrupted by rain so there could be some tweaks to Thursday’s schedule, although defending men’s champion Novak Djokovic will be one of the stars on show.

The 24-time Grand Slam hero meets Roberto Carballes Baena in round two and will be hoping for another straight-sets success, while the men’s draw is also set to feature the likes of Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz. Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, two of the big four in the women’s competition, are also expected to be in action against Moyuka Uchijima and Arantxa Rus respectively.

Roberto Carballes Baena +9.5 games vs Novak Djokovic @ 4/5

Djokovic should have enough in reserve to come past his round two opponent Carballes Baena but the Spaniard is no weak link on clay and should be able cover what looks a hefty handicap start.

The world number one recorded a straight-sets success over Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the curtain-raiser of his title defence, but a 6-4 7-6 6-4 margin of victory shows it was anything but straightforward.

Herbert made the Serbian pull out all of the stops and Carballes Baena, a two-time winner on clay as well as a runner-up in Marrakech as recently as last month, can produce a similar display..

It is evident that Djokovic, who lost three of his final six clay-court preparation matches, is operating a long way below his best as he pursues a first piece of silverware this season.

Dusan Lajovic +7.5 games vs Taylor Fritz @ 8/11

One big gun that could be set for a stern examination is American 12th seed Taylor Fritz, who is improving on clay but not quickly enough to suggest he is a title contender.

Fritz has not gone beyond the third round of the French Open in seven main-draw appearances and he is unlikely to have things all his own way against the dangerous Dusan Lajovic.

While Fritz can struggle to adapt to the slower surface, these are prime conditions for Lajovic, who has claimed two clay-court titles and was a semi-finalist in Barcelona last month.

The Serbian won their only previous clay-court meeting 7-5 6-1 in Lyon a few seasons ago and, with an upset not out of the equation, he can cover a generous looking handicap.

Yulia Putintseva to beat Paula Badosa @ 5/4

This has the potential to be one of the contests of day five from Roland Garros and Yulia Putintseva, a two-time French Open quarter-finalist, looks a nice price to build on her dominant first-round performance.

Putintseva bulldozed her way past 2018 French Open runner-up Sloane Stephens 6-1 6-2 inside 56 minutes on Tuesday and is in a rich vein of form, having lost only three of her last 12 clay-court matches.

Two of those losses have come against world number one Iga Swiatek and fourth seed Rybakina, further highlighting her well-being and suggesting that she could go on a deep run in Paris.

Badosa does appear to be rediscovering some form but it is too soon to say she is back in peak shape and she will need to improve upon her deciding set win over Katie Boulter from round one.

Tennis Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.