Fed favoured for Wimbledon despite Rafa’s French Open romp

RAFAEL Nadal created history on Sunday night, downing Stan Wawrinka in straight sets to win his 10th French Open singles crown.

The Spaniard now holds a commanding lead in the all-time men’s ranks at Roland Garros, with Bjorn Borg’s six titles now a distant second.

“This tournament has been very special to me, and it’s true that it is unprecedented,” Nadal told reporters after the final.

“Trust me, I’m very happy that I’m the one who did it.

“If I can do it, someone else can do it.

“But you need the right circumstances, the right ingredients to win 10 French Open titles.

“I don’t know if I will ever get to meet the player who will do better than I did.”

It was something of a drought-breaker for Nadal, who had not won a Grand Slam since the 2014 French Open.

Persistent fitness issues had led many to believe his time at the top was all but over, yet results in 2017 suggest that is not the case.

Only a similarly inspired Roger Federer – a notable absentee at Roland Garros – prevented Rafa from claiming the Australian Open crown back in January.

According to Wawrinka, the 31-year-old from Mallorca is at the very pinnacle of his game.

“For sure he’s playing the best he’s ever played,” said the Swiss.

“But not only here. I think since the beginning of the year, you can see he’s playing more aggressive, staying more close from the line.

“That’s clearly the best he ever played. That’s why he’s winning so much again.”

Despite Nadal’s imperious form, there is no place for him on the top line of betting for the 2017 Wimbledon Championship.

Federer and Andy Murray are the +275 joint favourites at Sportsbet.com.au to take out the year’s third Grand Slam title.

Nadal, who has not won at the All England Club since 2010, shares the second slot with Novak Djokovic at +550.

Alongside Milos Raonic on +1400 is Nick Kyrgios, even though the 22-year-old Australian is yet to pass the quarter finals in a major.

In the women’s draw, there has been a surge of support for Jelena Ostapenko after her stunning victory at the French.

The 20-year-old Latvian starlet is in to +1600 to do it again at Wimbledon – a quote she shares with her fellow finalist in Paris, Simona Halep.

Karolina Pliskova is the +600 frontrunner in a tight draw, just ahead of Petra Kvitova (+700) and British hope Johanna Konta (+800).

Australia’s top chance is Ash Barty at +6600, with Sam Stosur (+10000) and Daria Gavrilova (+12500) deep in the pack.

2017 Wimbledon outright betting

Markets provided by Sportsbet

Men’s singles

+275 – Roger Federer, Andy Murray

+550 – Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal

+1400 – Nick Kyrgios, Milos Raonic

+2200 – Stan Wawrinka, Alexander Zverev

+2500 – Grigor Dimitrov

+3300 – Juan Martin del Potro, Dominic Thiem

+4000 – Marin Cilic

+5000 – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

+6600 – Kei Nishikori

+10000 – Tomas Berdych, David Goffin, Gilles Muller, Jack Sock

(More quoted)

Women’s singles

+600 – Karolina Pliskova

+700 – Petra Kvitova

+800 – Johanna Konta

+900 – Garbine Muguruza

+1200 – Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber

+1300 – Madison Keys

+1400 – Venus Williams

+1600 – Simona Halep, Jelena Ostapenko

+2000 – Coco Wandeweghe

+2500 – Elina Svitolina

+3000 – Kristina Mladenovic

+3300 – Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki

(More quoted)

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