French Open Picks - Simon and Ouanna are flying the French Flag

Paris, France – Frenchman Gilles Simon and Josselin Ouanna are two of several Frenchman still alive at the French Open and as betting on this second Grand Slam continues in the third round both will be looking to seize a spot in the fourth round. Seventh seed Simon has a relatively easy matchup against Victor Hanescu – on paper that is – that he is seen as the more likely to advance. Meanwhile, Josselin Ouanna, who sent Marat Safin packing in a thrilling five set marathon on Wednesday faces stiffer opposition in Fernando Gonzalez, the tournament’s twelfth seed. Here is a look at the market BetUS Sportsbook has rolled out on their matchups.

Tennis Betting Line: Victor Hanescu +175 Gilles Simon -225

Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Friday May 29 2009

Tennis Betting Analysis: Gilles Simon got off to a slow start at Roland Garros against Wayne Odesnik. The Frenchman was surprisingly stretched to five sets by the American journeyman player and only just got out of trouble 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. Fortunately, for the partisan crowd, he cleaned up his game in the second round, taking out American Robert Kendrick in three efficient sets 7-5, 6-0, 6-1. Next up for Simon is Victor Hanescu of Romania, a player who has enjoyed some success on clay; ironically Hanescu’s best result came when he beat Simon in the 2007 final in Bucharest. Simon trails 0-1 against Hanescu.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Simon found form in the second round against Kendrick and he will be looking to continue that form against Hanescu. This is his second shot at the Romanian since the last time they met when he lost to him in Romania and this time around, Simon will have home edge.

Tennis Free Picks: Simon in four sets

Tennis Betting Line: Fernando Gonzalez -1400 Josselin Ouanna +650

Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Friday May 29 2009

Tennis Betting Analysis: Josselin Ouanna put on a bit of a show for the home crowd against Marat Safin at Court Philippe Chatlier on Wednesday and they got right behind him and carried him to the sensational five set victory. The wild card contestant he will hope for all that support and more when he comes up against an in form Fernando Gonzalez. Gonzalez won the Vina del Mar title on clay earlier this year and he was a back-to-back semi-finalist in Barcelona and Rome. He takes a 19-5 mark into this match.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Unlike Safin who had trouble handling the overwhelming support for Ouanna in the twilight of their second round match, I don’t believe Gonzalez will be too distracted. He actually feeds off that kind of energy and likes nothing better than to upstage a crowd favourite. At best, Ouanna will give a good account of himself but Gonzalez is the better play.

Tennis Free Picks: Gonzalez in four sets