French Open quarter-finals: Two men’s fixtures as rain holds up fourth round

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | May 31, 2016

2016 French Open day 10

Richard Gasquet v Andy Murray

Murray (3/10 odds-on match favourite with Coral) and Gasquet (5/2) clash for the third time at the French Open, and the latter will be hoping to make it third time lucky after falling short in 2010 and 2012.

The home hope has enjoyed a fantastic run so far, having reached the quarters here for the first time in 13 attempts, after defeating the likes of rising stars Nick Kyrgios and Kei Nishikori.

Gasquet may have lost each of the last four meetings with Murray, but claimed a set in each of them, and so the Scot is 5/2 to triumph 3-1 as he did at Roland Garros four years ago in the last 16.

In 2010, though, the Frenchman took Murray all the way and led 2-0 at one stage before a dramatic comeback in round one. This tie is also priced at 5/2 to be over 4.5 sets again.

Former prodigy Gasquet can take heart in the fact that he’s beaten the Scotsman three times before, including once on clay at the 2012 Rome Masters, where he lost the opening set 7-6.

In fact, they’ve gone through an opening set tiebreak on four occasions, so why not back that to happen once more at 3/1.

Murray is genuine contender for this year’s French Open, after coming into this event in fine form and grinding through early epics, and is the 10/3 tournament second-favourite to lift his third Grand Slam and first in Paris.

Albert Ramos-Vinolas v Stan Wawrinka

Defending champion Wawrinka on paper should have an easier ride to the semis than Murray, when he goes up against unseeded Spain player Ramos-Vinolas, who had never got past the second round at a Grand Slam before this event.

But the Barcelona-born 28-year-old made light work of Canadian star Milos Raonic last time out, dropping just 10 games in hi straight sets victory.

With Wawrinka looking in good form, though, despite a wobble in the first round against Lukas Rosol, it is unsurprising that he is the heavy odds-on 1/8 favourite to progress.

The Swiss number two (7/1 to defend his title) has won all six of his head-to-heads with Ramos-Vinolas (5/1 match shout), including four times of clay.

Spain’s Ramos-Vinolas did claim sets in two of those battles, though, and so Wawrinka’s odds of 11/4 for a 3-1 win are more enticing than 5/6 for a 3-0 victory.

Related

Be sure to visit Coral’s tennis page throughout the French Open and Wimbledon for more tips and previews.

Coral’s top tip: Murray is a brilliant 5/2 chance to beat Gasquet 3-1.