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ATP London World Tour Finals Profile: Andy Murray

Bookmark and Share by Nila Amerova

London, England – There has been no end to the nonsense surrounding Andy Murray with just about everyone tipping him as the favourite to win every important and major event this season. With the Barclay’s World Tour Finals happening in London this year, and it being the last important event on the season, brace yourselves for some more of the twaddle – although, “Murray mania”  would have probably found life had this event been anywhere in the world.

Journo’s waxing lyrical about Murray and his manufactured successes on the Masters stage, which they believe is the foundation for a legitimate claim to the No.1 throne, has been at full steam all season long – and this in spite of his across the board disappointing slam marks and being outshined by his peers.

One would think his inability to breakthrough on the Grand Slam stage would shut them up, maybe force a mania rethink. But alas, No. Well, not unless the brief cold shoulder following cringing disappointments at each of the four slams this season counts when experts are a bit miffed their predictions didn’t come to fruition. Even then, all it takes is for another big event to roll along for these so-called experts to set aside their tiff, find the Murray mania within once again and serve him up on a platter, seductively garnished and dressed-up with all the hyperbole they have at their disposal.

Road to London:

BetUS Futures odds for Murray listed at +350

  • Season win/loss: 64-10
  • Since US Open win/loss: 6-1
  • Titles: Doha, Rotterdam, Miami Masters, London Queen’s Club, Rogers Cup, Valencia
  • Finalist: Indian Wells,
  • Grand Slam highlights: Aussie Open R16, French Open Quarters, Wimbledon semis, US Open R16
  • Top ten scalps: Roger Federer (Doha semis); Andy Roddick (Doha final); Fernando Verdasco (Miami quarters and Valencia semis); Juan Martin Del Potro (Miami semis and Rogers Cup final); Novak Djokovic (Miami final); Nikolay Davydenko (Rogers Cup quarters); Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Rogers Cup semis).

Verdasco Head-to Heads with other World Tour Finals contenders:

  • vs. Roger Federer: 6-3
  • vs. Rafael Nadal: 2-7
  • vs. Novak Djokovic: 3-4
  • vs. Juan Martin Del Potro 4:1
  • vs. Nikolay Davydenko: 5-4
  • vs. Fernando Verdasco: 7-1
  • vs. Robin Soderling:  2:1

 Betting Verdict: Andy Murray is one of the favourites to advance from the group stage into the knock-out round, and by virtue of his standing in the game, and his two Masters titles on the season, he is a viable contender for the season-ending honours. He also has going for him an encouraging head-to-head against most players, save for Nadal and Djokovic. 

Prediction: Murray skipped over a month of action to nurse a wrist injury that began niggling him during the US Open. He returned to action in Valencia a fortnight ago and sailed to the title without much fuss. It was a rather watered down field.  In Paris, he suffered a setback when he exited early (l. to Stepanek). Apparently, he picked up a groin injury in Valencia which affected his play in Paris.

With the title victory in Valencia, Murray showed he was on form. But his fitness is a question mark after his early exit in Paris. Murray assures he will be ready to open his best account in London and British fans will be expecting no less from their No.1. But if he is not at 100%, how is he supposed to live up to expectations.

I cannot help but feel there is a chance he will be exposed to a surprise.  The London crowd will be behind him and while there is every reason to assume he is going to make the semis, he will be hard pressed to go further if he comes across an in-form Djokovic or Nadal, against whom he trails 2-7, or both en route to the title.