Roger Federer Would Pay Big at 2009 French Open

With Rafael Nadal the big -275 favorite to win the 2009 French Open, Roger Federer - considered his toughest competition - is looking like quite the enticing bet.  The payout for Federer would be US$550 for every US$100 bet should he win this year's French Open at Sportingbet.com (US customers are prohibited).

Federer is the player with the most to gain at this year's French Open, writes Peter Bodo of ESPN.com.

"Federer is playing for what surely would be universal acclaim as The Greatest of All Time if he were to win the French Open. He wouldn't have to hit another ball for the rest of his life (or at least until Nadal begins to close on his record-matching 14 Grand Slam singles titles).

"We all know the line of reasoning: By winning Roland Garros, Federer would not only complete a career Grand Slam -- something only five men have accomplished, Andre Agassi being the latest -- he would equal Pete Sampras' record of 14 major singles titles."

Beyond Nadal and Federer there is Novak Djokovic (with a payout potential of US$800 for every US$100 bet) and Andrew Murray, who won the 2008 US Open but had difficulties in Australia.  The great news here is that Murray would pay out US$2000 for every US$100 bet.

Fernando Verdasco would pay US$2500 for every US$100 bet. 

"From there the payout odds jump all the way up to US$6600 and greater," says Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com.  "It's difficult with Men's Tennis to really bet outside the handful of super star players but an upset at the French Open would pay extremely well."

French Open 2009 payout odds appear below for the top contending players. Sportingbet.com has odds on most other players as well.

Nadal, Rafael

-275

Federer, Roger

+550

Djokovic, Novak

+800

Murray, Andrew

+2000

Verdasco, Fernando

+2500

Del Potro, Juan Marin

+6600

Gonzalez, Fernando

+8000

Davydenko, Nikola

+10000

Ferrer, David

+10000