The Overrule: French Open Men's and Women's Semi-Finals

By Sports Magician

The Overrule tipped Tomas Berdych each-way for the tournament at the outset at a mammoth 200/1 and we just stand one match away from a positive return on that selection. In Berdych's way is Robin Soderling, last year's runner-up, who defeated Rafael Nadal at the 2009 French Open and Roger Federer only a couple of days ago. Without wishing to underplay Soderling's stunning victory, he has been consistently underpriced throughout the tournament, and he has been so again for this last four encounter.

Soderling leads the head to head 4-3, however, Berdych won their only meeting this year - on hard court in Miami 6-2, 6-2 - and has won their only meeting on clay. The Czech has been phenomenal during the French Open, consistently cleaning the lines and hammering his opposition, including emphatic victories against Andy Murray and Mikhail Youzhny.

In the women's semi-finals, Elena Dementieva can reach the third Grand Slam of her career by beating veteran Italian Francesca Schiavone. The Overrule successfully tipped both players to win their quarter-final matches and Schiavone, in particular, was outstanding in doing so. Dementieva has the experience at this level and that may well be a telling factor, as well as her recent dominance over the Italian with three straight victories. Dementieva leads the head to head 6-4 and has won their only meeting on clay, way back in 2005 during Fed Cup action.

Sam Stosur has knocked out two of the 'big three' (as far as this year's French Open is concerned) and now she attempts to topple Jelena Jankovic in what would be a stunning set of victories. The Australian former doubles specialist has taken out Justine Henin and Serena Williams, going the distance each time, to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final. Having to play on back to back days will be a huge test for Stosur, as Jankovic is unlikely to make as many unforced errors as Serena did on Wednesday, and has had a far more comfortable route to this stage.

Jankovic leads the head to head 3-1, and they have split meetings this year and have never met on clay. The fact that Stosur has been made the tournament favourite is a massive over reaction in my opinion. Granted she has pulled off two stunning wins against the odds, but Jankovic was widely regarded as the one most likely if Henin and Serena fell, and I don't see any reason why that should not continue to be the case. The Overrule will be taking the value on offer for Jelena to win her semi-final, as well as going on to claim what would be her first Grand Slam title.

OUTRIGHT SELECTION:

PICK: 3*JELENA JANKOVIC WIN FRENCH OPEN @ 3.4 (BET 365)

SEMI-FINAL SELECTIONS:

PICK: 2.5*TOMAS BERDYCH BEAT ROBIN SODERLING @ 2.88 (STAN JAMES)

PICK: 4*ELENA DEMENTIEVA BEAT FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE @ 1.91 (BOYLESPORTS)

PICK: 4*JELENA JANKOVIC BEAT SAM STOSUR @ 2.25 (BET 365)

Sports Magician