Women's French Open Betting: Bartoli to fly the flag for France

Bartoli should keep the home fans happy

The second round has produced some interesting clashes at Roland Garros, Abelson Info preview Thursday's action from the 2013 French Open...

With world number one Serena Williams safely through to the third round, there are a whole host of top seeds hoping to follow suit on Thursday.

Amongst the biggest stars in action is defending champion Maria Sharapova, and she is expected to have little trouble getting past the challenge of world number 77 Eugenie Bouchard despite her run to the semi-finals in Strasbourg last week. Much has been made of the Russian's tricky route to the final, but it is unlikely she will slip-up against her Canadian opponent.

Similarly, there is little chance of an upset when 2011 champion Na Li takes on Bethanie Mattek-Sands in her second round match. The sixth seed has won their previous two encounters, with the last coming on clay in Stuttgart in straight sets earlier this year.

As a result, expect the Chinese star to make it comfortably through, along with both Victoria Azarenka and Sam Stosur who take on Annika Beck and Kristina Mladenovic respectively.

However, it may not be so simple for Petra Kvitova when she faces the in-form Shuai Peng. The latter made it through to the final at the Brussels Open before eventually falling to Kaia Kanepi, and despite trailing 3-0 in the head-to-head with her Czech opponent, she will fancy her chances of putting up a strong challenge.

Their last meeting in Miami earlier this year went the distance, therefore backing Kvitova to come through in three sets may be worthy of a small investment at 4.03/1.

The field may be thinning out but there is more value to be had across the draw with several players hoping to upset the odds and build on solid starts to the tournament.

French hopeful Marion Bartoli came through a real battle in the first round to keep the buoyant home crowd cheering. Having overcome Olga Govortsova last time out, she will be confident of extending her tournament further when she takes on Colombian qualifier Mariana Duque-Marino.

Duque-Marino has been in great form this year, but given her vastly inferior world ranking she won't relish the prospect of stepping into the lion's den in what will be the last game of the day out on Court 1. With the home faithful demanding a victory, expect Bartoli to respond and book her place in the next round.

Elsewhere, Kirsten Flipkens battled back from a set down to clinch a first round win over Flavia Pennetta, but she will have to overcome another Italian if she harbours hopes of progressing further.

Standing in her way is former champion Francesca Schiavone, and having breezed past Melinda Czink last time out she can be confident of setting up a third round clash with the aforementioned Bartoli.

As the top seeds continue to emerge unscathed from the pack, it all points toward a fascinating end to the week.

Recommended Bets
Back Bartoli to beat Duque-Marino @ 1.84/5
Back Schiavone to beat Flipkens @ 1.9110/11
Back Kvitova to beat Peng 2-1 @ 4.03/1