Zverev the coming man

I am working at Goodwood after the Oaks on Friday so this is an early update. In fact there is very little to add because I never tip again if an early fancy goes out of a competition, in this case Alexander Zverev, who was a long way below his best when exiting the French Open earlier in the week.

Andy Murray is gradually finding his form and some aspects of his play look just about perfect with Wimbledon not far off. He will not find it easy against Juan Martin del Potro in Paris because the Argentine is a live threat after a couple of years off with a serious wrist injury. There would be no more popular winner of the tournament But I’d expect Murray to wear him down in the end and progress to the second week.

I feel that Ekaterina Makarova was also below her best her best on Tuesday so this has hardly been a memorable tournament for me. There is no great value in backing Simona Halep but she is in the form of her life and also seems to have shrugged off the doubts which used to assail her in long, close matches. She is unquestionably a worthy favourite.