Andy Murray accepts wildcard to Farmers Classic LA Open
Britain’s Andy Murray is back in action this week, the first time he has taken to the court since his Wimbledon semi final exit. Murray (Evens at BetFred) has accepted a wild card entry into the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles, which came about when Novak Djokovic pulled out of the tournament. Murray has not picked up a tour title this year, and this could represent a very good chance for him to do so. While looking short of his best on the Tour in general this season, he has really shown up at two of the three Grand Slam’s so far. Murray reached the final of the Australian Open early in the year when he lost to Roger Federer, and then lost against Rafael in the semi finals at the All England Club. The next Grand Slam on the list is the US Open which is held in a few weeks towards the end of August.
After starting the season so well, Murray has really failed to get to grips the games in the Tour tournaments which he has entered. As he is searching for his first ever Grand Slam title, it has appeared that he is trying to peak in form and fitness for the big events. Andy Murray holds a 22-10 match record so far this season. The LA Open is on hard court when Murray has a 10-4 match record for the season, and has been the surface upon which he has gained the majority of his success. Twelve of his eleven career titles have been on the hard court. He makes a good bet at the Farmers Classic, as he is the top ranked player in Los Angeles by a long way. American Sam Querrey (7/2 at Boylesports), who is ranked 20th in the world is the number two seed for the tournament, and for world number four Murray, he really should be expected to go on through. The young Querrey would make a good bet behind Murray though, as he has won three titles on the ATP Tour this year, having made five finals. He holds a 29-15 match record for the season, and a 9-6 match record on the hard court, and is the defending champion at the Farmers Classic LA Open.
ATP Studenda Croatia Open
Interesting top four seeds going at it in Croatia. Number One seed for the tournament is Russian Nikolay Davydenko (9/4 at Stan James) who is back to defend his title. He hammered Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final last year, and the world number six is still looking to get back into the swing of his season after spending a few months out with an injury. He hasn’t made it past the last sixteen in the handful of tournaments he has played in since returning from injury, suggesting that he is still finding his feet. A good clay court player when on his game, and he has won 9 career titles on the sliding surface. Probably not quite back at his peak just yet. The home fans will be cheering for Ivan Ljubicic (8/1 at Ladbrokes), who surprised everyone by winning at Indian Wells this year. He is well below that kind of form at the moment though, and only worth backing if you think the home crowd will spur him on to better heights. Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero (9/2 at Ladbrokes) should be a threat, as he is something of a clay court specialists, head and shoulders his best surface. Out of his fourteen career tour titles, eleven of them has been on Clay, and he has a good 24-7 match record on the stuff this season. With two tour titles under his belt this season, he should be there in the final stages and makes for a strong tennis betting tip. World number 15 Jurgen Melzer (7/2 at Ladbrokes) reached the semi finals last year, and will be back and hoping to go at least one better. Probably the best of the genuine outside chances, but should not be as big of a threat as Ferrero.
Allianz Suisse Open Gstaad
Stunning scenery for this tournament in Switzerland, but native hero Roger Federer is not there. Toughest of the three tournaments to call this week on the ATP Tour, so let’s look at the seeds. Number one seed Mikhail Youhzny (9/2 at Ladbrokes) goes as number one, but he has never made it past the quarter final stages at the tournament. He has picked up one title on Tour this year, so the world number 14 has it in him. Not in any kind of sparkling form, and doesn’t represent the best bet in Gstaad. Tournament debutant Nicolas Almagro (5/2 at Bet365) does though, and if you like betting with form, then he beat Robin Soderling in the final at Bastad a couple of weeks ago. That kind of came out of the blue a little bit, but he should be carrying a little more confidence into the tournament than Youzhny. Last year’s winner Thomaz Bellucci (6/1 at BetFred) is back on the scene of his first ever ATP Tour title win. The Brazilian is one of the players who is certainly on the rise, and could be injected with a little extra confidence being back at the tournament which no doubt holds some fond memories for him. Past winners Victor Hanescu (33/1 at Ladbrokes) and Richard Gasquet (6/1 at Bet365) are back at the tournament, but look to be more of a stretch in the tennis betting.
