Ashleigh Barty secured her first Grand Slam title at the 2019 French Open and then became the No. 1 player in the world shortly after. But she opted out of most of the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, which meant she didn't get a chance to defend her French Open win. In her place, Poland's Iga Swiatek won her first major, though Barty held on to the year-end World No. 1 ranking. They are the only two women whose last singles match at Roland-Garros was a victory, and fans are eager to see if they meet up in the 2021 French Open as play gets underway early on Sunday morning.
The defending champ, Swiatek, is the +275 favorite (risk $100 to win $275) in early 2021 French Open odds per William Hill Sportsbook. Barty, who has already won three tournaments including one on clay this year, is +400 while other contenders include Aryna Sabalenka (+700) and Naomi Osaka (+1400). Three-time French Open champion Serena Williams is a +2000 long shot in French Open 2021 odds. Before making any 2021 French Open picks or predictions, check out the expert tennis picks and analysis from SportsLine's Gavin Mair.
A renowned women's tennis handicapper, he hit a daily double of sorts in at the last French Open. Mair picked Iga Swiatek to win (-163) and win in straight sets (+140), and he was right on both counts.
He also called unseeded Jelena Ostapenko (80-1) winning the 2017 French Open, Naomi Osaka (32-1) winning the 2018 U.S. Open and Bianca Andreescu (20-1) winning the 2019 U.S. Open. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, Mair has scrutinized the latest French Open odds 2021 and released his coveted best bets to win it all. He's sharing all his picks and analysis at SportsLine.
Top 2021 French Open women's predictions
One shocker: fade Sabalenka (+700). She enters as the No. 4 ranked player in the world after defeating No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in the Madrid Open in May. But that marks her only title win on clay in her career as Sabalenka failed to win in her first 14 attempts on the surface.
And that's precisely why Mair doesn't think highly of Sabalenka's chances at the 2021 French Open. Her game is predicated on power but that aspect is diminished while playing on clay. Mair told SportsLine, "I believe a better chance for [Sabalenka] to breakthrough may come at Wimbledon at the end of June."
Wimbledon takes place on grass, and the clay courts of the French Open have prevented Sabalenka from ever even reaching the fourth round in four attempts. Sabalenka would be a great value at +700 in other places, but not at Roland-Garros, so steer clear of her for your 2021 French Open bets.
How to make 2021 French Open women's picks
Mair has locked in his best bets, and they include a long shot who would bring huge returns. He's especially high on a monumental long shot who "is worthy of consideration." You need to see his picks and analysis before considering any 2021 French Open bets.
So who wins the French Open 2021? And which long shots could take the crown? Visit SportsLine now to see Gavin Mair's bets for the 2021 French Open, all from the tennis expert who has called long shot winners of three grand slam women's titles since 2017.
