Novak Djokovic French Open Odds, No. 1 Player Making His Clay-Court Debut

Novak Djokovic made his debut on the clay-court season on Tuesday, but, as tennis bettors saw, it took a bit for the No. 1 player to regain his dominant form. 

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Djokovic, playing for the first time since the semifinals of the Dubai Championship five weeks ago, earned a 7-5, 6-2 win over qualifier Ivan Gakhov at the Monte Carlo Masters. 

"It was probably, if you can call it this way, an ugly tennis win for me today," Djokovic said during his on-court interview. "I haven't played my best, particularly in the first set. And I kind of expected that that was going to happen in a way with swirly conditions, a lot of wind today, changing directions.

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Gakhov hung with the 22-grand slam winner for the first set as Djokovic suffered through 10 unforced errors and had to save three of the four break points he faced. But Djokovic rallied in the second set, breaking for a 3-2 lead and winning the final three games. Djokovic committed just three unforced errors in the second set and recorded nine winners as his form improved. 

"I have not played my best, particularly in the first set," said Djokovic, who saved three of the four break points he faced. "All in all, I'm just pleased with the way I held my nerves in important moments."

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Gakhov was the fourth alternate in the qualifying field, seeking his first ATP Tour win in his third ATP event. By comparison, it was Djokovic’s 1,254th tour-level match. 

Djokovic is going for a record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 title this week and his third championship in Monte Carlo. 

He will face either Lorenzo Musetti or Luca Nardi in the next round. Djokovic is +100 to win the tournament at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

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Novak Djokovic French Open Odds

Djokovic taking part in the Monte Carlo Masters is his first preparation for the French Open. The second Grand Slam of the year takes place from May 28 to June 11. Djokovic has won the French Open twice, taking the title in 2016 and 2021. Djokovic French Open Odds reflect that he is the favorite in the weeks leading up to the tournament.

The tournament has been dominated recently by Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard has won five of the last seven French Opens, with only Djokovic winning his two titles during that span. But Nadal’s status for the event remains uncertain. A leg injury forced him to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters. This has also helped the Djokovic French Open odds.

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“I am not yet ready to compete on the highest level,” he said. “I am not yet in conditions to play with maximum guarantees, and I continue my process of recovery and preparation.”

It remains unknown when he will return. Nadal has fallen outside the top 10 rankings for the first time since 2005. Nadal’s health doesn’t have him at the top of the odds board for the French Open, with Carlos Alcaraz currently the favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook at +150. Novak Djokovic French Open Odds" are second-best at +170, followed by Nadal at +300. 

At FanDuel Sportsbooks, the Djokovic French Open odds are +150, leading the way with Alcaraz second.