Men's French Open Betting: Haase to heap more misery on Davydenko

Robin Haase can get the better of a fading Davydenko

The rain is set to decimate Monday's play at the French Open, but Sean Calvert has picked the best bets from the early first round matches that should get onto court today...

It was a disappointing start to the 2104 French Open on Sunday when my Cash Out bet of Milos Raonic to win set one 7-6 failed after a nervy start by Nick Kyrgios.

Somewhat ironically the Canadian won set two 7-6, which was annoying, as was the collapse by Edouard Roger-Vasselin, who should have landed the overs against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but gave up in the third set.

Monday's play features 28 first round matches, but it's highly unlikely that they will be finished if the wretched weather forecast for Paris today is to be believed.

But we should see Kei Nishikori in action and he will surely be tested in damp, heavy conditions by Martin Klizan, who loves a grind and is coming into form at the right time for this tournament.

The Slovakian won Munich in similarly heavy conditions as a qualifier as few weeks ago, when claiming scalps including Fabio Fognini, Mikhail Youzhny, Tommy Haas and Denis Istomin and he's no pushover in the damp.

He also took a set from Rafa Nadal here last year and Kei will find it difficult despite his obvious improvement on the red dirt out of nowhere in 2014.

The Japanese also has a hip injury to worry about and the outright win at 5.85/1 appeals here, as does the 'to win a set' at 1.84/5 for the more conservative punter.

With Kei's injury record I think it's worth taking the bigger price here, as a retirement will pay out once one set is completed and look to Cash Out depending on how fit Kei appears to be.

Britain's James Ward became the first man since John Lloyd to come through qualifying here and on paper he has a tough ask against Tommy Robredo, but the Spaniard has been poor lately and Ward could take a set in that match.

Nadal and Novak Djokovic won't have any problems and should win easily, and Stan Wawrinka has a very good record against his opponent, the very capable Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

Marin Cilic may not have things all his own way against Pablo Andujar and looks short to me, but I'm going to take a chance with Robin Haase in his 10am clash with Nikolay Davydenko at 1.68/13 today.

Poor old Davy looks to me like he's well and truly gone and he's only managed to beat Dudi Sela in his 2014 clay court campaign thus far and with Sela being the clay equivalent of a walking bye it's not the best of form.

The veteran Russian was poor against Jiri Vesely in Dusseldorf last week and he's just clinging on to his top-100 status by the skin of his teeth.

This will most likely be Davydenko's last appearance in the French Open, as he has stated that he won't bother to try and get through qualies if his ranking doesn't get him in to tournaments and Haase should be good enough to record the win today.

The Dutchman has won two of their career meetings and Davy's decline is such that Robin should have few problems in this fourth clash.

Recommended Bet
Back Haase to beat Davydenko at 1.68/13

Best Cash Out Opportunity
Back Klizan to beat Nishikori at 5.85/1