The French Open is famously back again and guess which big rivals we have pitted against each other this time people? It is Maria Sharapova vs Serena Williams people! Both tennis big shots have been at the prime of the female tennis universe for quite a long time now which makes this encounter even more delicious. Both tennis ladies have not clashed since the 2016 Australian Open where ­Sharapova unfortunately tested positive for the drug meldonium suffering a consequent ban of 15 months.

What more this encounter is sizzling with the sweet spice of bad blood between both players. This was even inflamed by Maria Sharapova’s book which we detailed the sour part of her ancestral rivalry with Serena Williams.

In her book, Sharapova tagged Serena as having “thick arms and thick legs” – with her claims that the America shed hot tears following ­Sharapova’s victory at the Wimbledon in 2004.

Maria ­Sharapova wrote: “In this locker room, where I was changing and she was bawling. I think Serena hated me for being the skinny kid who beat her, against all odds, at ­Wimbledon.

“Not long after the ­tournament, I heard Serena told a friend – who then told me – ‘I will never lose to that little bitch again’.” There are 100 mentions of her name.

Looking at the stats, Williams has come out on top in their last 18 matches. So what do you think about this encounter this time? Who would you be expecting to win the first sets?

Well, William Hill has got something sumptuous for you in this encounter. Yes, William Hills is giving you 9/1 for Maria Sharapova to lose the first set but still come out the winner! Isn’t this exciting? So if you think Serena would start strong by winning the first set only to eventually succumb to Maria Sharapova, here is 9/1 for you. This offer use to be 7/1 but has been pumped up to 9/1. This offer is open to both new and existing customers with no wagering requirement.

Goodluck