Back to the Futures: Nadal, Djokovic on collision course in Paris
by Ricky Dimon - 5/20/2014
Sure to be on opposite sides of the draw as the top two seeds, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have set the stage for a blockbuster French Open final. The
action begins on Sunday in Paris, where Serena Williams-as always-is a heavy favorite in the women's event. Meanwhile, post-draft odds are out for NFL
Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Odds provided by Sportsbook.ag
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Jadeveon Clowney (+200)
- The No. 1 overall pick will not likely have any excuse if he fails to bag this award. He is on a bad team-Houston-that is already led by its defense. He
will also be playing on the same defensive line as J.J. Watt, so double-teams will not be a problem like they were last season at South Carolina.
Khalil Mack (+400)
- The case could be a similar one for Mack, who will get playing time right away on a terrible team. Oakland also boasts pass-rushers LaMarr Woodley and
Justin Tuck, so Mack will not have to worry about too much attention. The former Buffalo star will probably line up at outside linebacker, with Woodley and
Tuck on the ends.
Aaron Donald (+800)
- There was Clowney and Mack, and then there was everyone else when it came to defense at this month's NFL Draft. But they may have company in Donald, who
will find himself on an awesome d-line in St. Louis that already features Chris Long and Robert Quinn. Donald had 28.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks last
year at Pittsburgh.
Ryan Shazier (+800)
- Shazier may not strike fear into the hearts of opposing offenses like some of the Steelers' past linebackers. In fact, he played his final season at Ohio
State at a mere 225 pounds. He has since bulked up to a still-modest 237. Shazier's speed, though, will help him rack up tackles left and right and pad the
stat sheet.
Crowne Plaza Invitational
Adam Scott (+1200)
- As usual, it's a stellar field at Colonial-headlined by the world No. 1. Scott does not have a win yet this season, but he also has not come close to
missing a cut. His T-38 finish at The Players Championship was his worst of 2014. He has three top-10s, including a third at Bay Hill.
Matt Kuchar (+1200)
- The top-10 machine was up to his normal tricks last week at the Byron Nelson, where he finished T-7. Kuchar won last month at Harbour Town, so he should
have some confidence if (more like "when") he contends this Sunday. The former Georgia Tech standout was runner-up at the Crowne Plaza last year.
Zach Johnson (+1400)
- Johnson was third at Colonial last year, two shots behind Boo Weekley and one back of Kuchar. He has been solid-but-unspectacular since a surprising
missed cut at Augusta National, with three made cuts and a T-14 at Quail Hollow. Always consistent, Johnson's last eight rounds have been between 69 and
72.
Jordan Spieth (+1500)
- Spieth followed up his second-place showing at the Masters with a 12th at Harbour Town and a fourth at The Players. A 37th last week at home in Dallas
was somewhat disappointing, but not exactly bad. He finished T-7 at this event in 2013. An in-form Jim Furyk is tied for the fourth choice at +1500.
French Open men
Rafael Nadal (+130)
- For the first time since 2004, Nadal has lost three clay-court matches in a season. The most recent one-a three-setter against Novak Djokovic in Sunday's
Rome final-was less concerning than stunning upsets at the hands of David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro. Nadal is not playing poorly right now, but he is also
far from his best.
Novak Djokovic (+150)
- Djokovic dealt with a wrist injury earlier this spring, but he still managed to maintain momentum from huge titles in Indian Wells and Miami by
triumphing last week in Rome. The world No. 2's confidence for Roland Garros may be at an all-time high, and he already almost got over the Nadal hurdle
last year, losing an epic semifinal.
Stanislas Wawrinka (+600)
- Wawrinka is trying to make it two slams in a row, having made a surprise run to the Australian Open earlier this season. Perhaps amidst added pressure,
the Swiss has cooled off considerably. Still, he now knows he can win majors, and he is also extremely capable on a clay-court surface.
Roger Federer (+1500)
- Federer's wife gave birth to twins a few weeks ago, and he showed rust upon his return in Rome, losing his first match. Nonetheless, the 17-time Grand
Slam champion is playing light years better than he did in 2013. An on-fire Kei Nishikori is also +1500 to triumph in Paris.
French Open women
Serena Williams (+120)
- Serena has "only" won the French Open twice, which is comfortably on the low end by her standards. Her power game simply is not as dominant on clay.
Still, the world No. 1 won it last season, 11 years after her first trophy in 2002. Serena warmed up nicely by rolling to the Rome title last week.
Maria Sharapova (+400)
- In general, Sharapova is also a player better-suited for slams like Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the Australian Open. In 2012, though, she showed new
and improved prowess on red dirt and captured her first French Open title. The Russian recently prevailed in Stuttgart and Madrid, so she has to be feeling
good about her clay-court game.
Li Na (+500)
- Li won at Roland Garros in 2011. Aside from that performance, however, she has never advanced past the fourth round. So to say there is cause for concern
would be an understatement. Quarterfinal results in Madrid and Rome were solid but unspectacular, ending in three-set losses to Sharapova and Sara Errani.
Simona Halep (+1000)
- Halep is the underdog in this group but also a great value pick. In all seriousness, she has been a different player since getting a breast reduction.
The Romanian really broke onto the scene in 2013 and has not looked back. She beat three seeded players in Madrid before losing a three-set final to
Sharapova.
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