Top multi selections for 2017 French Open semi finals

WE have witnessed some spectacular scenes already this week at Roland Garros 2017.

Dominic Thiem is in the French Open semis for the second year running after crushing Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Wednesday night.

Now the Austrian faces an even bigger challenge in Rafael Nadal, who cantered through after Pablo Carreno Busta retired hurt early in their quarter final clash.

On the other side of the draw is an absolute belter of a match-up between world number one Andy Murray and 2015 French Open champion Stan Wawrinka.

But the story of the quarters came in the women’s draw.

A set to the good and serving for the match at 5-1 in the second, Elina Svitolina was cruising towards the semis.

Then it all went horribly wrong for the 22-year-old Ukrainian.

Simona Halep put away the unforced errors, found her groove and proceeded to win 12 of the next 13 games to complete a stunning comeback win.

The third seed will now tackle Karolina Pliskova, who is gunning for Angelique Kerber’s number one ranking after dispatching Caroline Garcia 7-6, 6-4.

The unseeded Jelena Ostapenko is the bolter of the pack, having downed Caroline Wozniacki to set up a semi date with Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky.

Simona Halep to beat Karolina Pliskova – -344.83

Jelena Ostapenko to beat Timea Bacsinszky – +134

Rafa Nadal to beat Dominic Thiem – -500

Stan Wawrinka to beat Andy Murray – -128.21

Multi pays +544 at Sportsbet.com.au

Simona Halep (3) vs. Karolina Pliskova (2)

If momentum is the key ingredient to success in sport, then Halep has all of it. Svitolina imploded, to be sure, but only because her opponent showed that rare ability to lift when many, many others would have thrown in the towel. The Romanian has an excellent record against Pliskova, whose only victory in this match-up came in the first round of the Federations Cup last year. This really should have been the final, so there is a fair chance the victor will go on to lift the trophy.

Timea Bacsinszky (30) vs. Jelena Ostapenko

This is a classic case of the unheralded upstart taking on the battled-hardened tour veteran. Bacsinszky is a workmanlike player in many regards, one whose hustle and nous make up for a lack of power and some technical quirks. Ostapenko, who turns 20 on Thursday, has already knocked out Sam Stosur and former world number one Wonziacki in her best run yet at a Grand Slam. We are backing the young Latvian to celebrate her birthday in style.

Rafael Nadal (4) vs. Dominic Thiem (6)

Can anybody stop Rafa? Is there even any point explaining this selection? Fit again and firing on all cylinders, the Spaniard now looks a near-certainty to claim his 10th French Open crown. Thiem is capable, as he proved against Novak, and is no stranger to the last four at Roland Garros. He would already have two titles under his belt this year if not for Nadal, who beat him in the final at both Barcelona and Madrid. The Austrian got one back in the quarter finals at Rome, but expect Rafa to set the record straight on the big stage.

Andy Murray (1) vs. Stan Wawrinka (3)

This is undoubtedly the must-watch clash of the French Open semis. It was Murray who triumphed over four sets when these two met at the same stage last year. The Scot has hardly been in commanding form throughout the tournament, however, as evinced in his topsy-turvy tussle with Kei Nishikori in the quarters. Stan, on the other hand, is yet to drop a set – winning four out of four tiebreakers in the process – and was irresistible against Marin Cilic. Although Murray has a 10-7 advantage overall, we like the Swiss star this time around.