Specials Progress Report

With the French Open draw still a few days away it gives us a chance on The Overrule to look back at our pending Specials selections for the season and how they stand at present.

Sara Errani under 2.5 singles titles - Sara Errani is having an impressively consistent season thus far with one title, two final appearances, two semi-finals and four quarter-final showings in her twelve singles events. The title the Italian won in Acapulco on clay she was pre-event favorite to do so and she will likely be a tournament favorite for Palermo on clay also in July. At this stage we should feel fairly comfortable with where we stand and if for some reason Errani was not to win Palermo then the odds will be heavily in our favor to see a successful conclusion to this selection.

Rankings: Petra Kvitova vs Angelique Kerber - Petra Kvitova has edged ahead of Angelique Kerber in the rankings with Kvitova at seven and Kerber at eight. Only forty ranking points separate the two lefties at the moment and both defend a similar amount of points for the remainder of the year. At this stage we'd price this match-up almost exactly where it was priced at the outset with perhaps a marginally greater edge for Kvitova.

Rankings over/under: Mona Barthel under 37.5 - Mona Barthel had an impressive start to the season but is currently on a five match losing streak on tour. At a similar period of last season Barthel went on a six match losing streak on clay and grass. The talented but inconsistent German is at 33 in the rankings but has only 15 ranking points to defend over the course of the remaining three Grand Slams of the year. Barring injury Barthel shouldn't have any problems ending the year inside the world's top 37 as we hope.

Rankings over/under: Eugenie Bouchard under 106.5 - Genie Bouchard has broken into the world's top 100 at 93 and should have little trouble ensuring she ends the season in the top 106. With very little to defend over the second half of the season the only way is up for the popular young Canadian.

The Overrule will be back towards the end of the week as we delve into the French Open draws ahead of the second Grand Slam of the season.