BRITISH No.1 Andy Murray is back in action at the French Open on Thursday and should have few problems reaching round three in Paris.
The Scot cruised to a 6-4 6-1 6-3 over French qualifier Eric Prodon on Tuesday and standing in his way today is Simone Bolelli of Italy.
Murray and world No.126 Bolelli have met twice before, the Scot victorious on both occasions, one success by a retiral, however.
The last of those meetings was in 2009 on clay but there is little to be gained in reading anything into those results. Put simply, if the world No.4 is on his game, Bolelli won't keep him on the dirt too long.
That forecast is reflected in Murray's price of 1-25 (William Hill, Sportingbet and Stan James). If you fancy Bolelli to create what would be the shock of Roland Garros you can get 12-1 with Skybet. The best money to be made on the match is Murray winning 3-0 (2-5, Boylesports, Paddy Power).
World No.1 Rafael Nadal is also in second-round action on Thursday but had it tough in getting there. As I warned he was pushed all the way by John Isner and lines up next against fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar.
With respect to Andujar he's not one of his country's “big” names and won't give the Mallorcan maestro many problems. Nadal is 1-66 with Boylesports and Victor Chandler while Andujar is 20-1 with Bet365 and Paddy Power. Best value is the same set scoreline as Murray's match and 3-0 Nadal pays 1-4 at boylesports and Skybet.
The offer that grabbed my attention was Arnaud Clement's 13-10 (Bodog, Sportingbet) against bookies' favourite Michael Berrer of Germany (8-13, Betfred, William Hill).
Neither player will reach the latter stages in the Grand Slam but the price on the gutsy Clement, who will have a passionate home support cheering his every point gained, is too good to miss. He's a tasty price at various bookies and my money will go on the veteran Frenchman.
