The bookmaker favorites in the French Open survived the first round with many of them having little trouble. Roger Federer is the top ranked player in the world but he is the second choice behind Rafael Nadal in French Open odds at the online bookmaker. Federer had no trouble in his opening match as he routed Peter Luczak in straight sets.
Bookmaker odds list Federer well behind Nadal but at least he is a contender. None of the other men are considered much of a threat. Andy Murray is seeded fourth but if his first match is any indication, he is not going to be around long. He had to rally from two sets down on Monday to beat Richard Gasquet, 4-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2, 6-1. Murray may not have won at all but Gasquet simply ran out of gas and was no threat in the final two sets. Federer had a much easier time as he lost just 14 of 64 points in his first round match. The third seed, Novak Djokovic lost a set but still beat Evgeny Korolev. The second seed and the favorite to win the French Open is Rafael Nadal and he was not expected to have any trouble in his first round match against Gianni Mina.
Serena Williams is the top seed on the women’s side. Williams is the second choice in bookmaker odds behind Justine Henin. Serena had a tougher time than expected in the first round as she beat Stefanie Voegle, 7-6, 6-2. Williams could be vulnerable at the French Open since she has lost in the third round each of the last three years. She has only made it past the quarterfinals once in the last 13 years. Second-seeded Venus Williams was lackluster as she beat Patty Schnyder 6-3, 6-3. The defending champion in the French Open is Svetlana Kuznetsova and she won on Sunday in straight sets against Sorana Cirstea. Kuznetsova is just 1-3 on clay this year but she was not tested on Sunday. Third seeded Caroline Wozniacki won easily as she beat Alla Kudryavtseva 6-0, 6-3 and fifth seed Elena Dementieva lost only two games in a win over Petra Martic 6-1, 6-1.
Tenth-seeded Victoria Azarenka was one of the few upset victims in the first round vs. the odds at the online bookmaker as she lost to Gisela Dulko.