Barclay’s ATP World Tour Finals: Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray

London, England – Roger Federer is getting set to take on Andy Murray in the second cycle of Group A Round Robin matches. Federer is in a deficit where Murray is concerned, trailing 3-6 lifetime against the Scot including a 1-2 shortfall on the season. Fortunately for Federer he snapped the negative trend against Murray in Cincinnati when he beat the British No.1 in the semis, in straight sets, en route to the title. And he will be looking to extend that positive trend against Murray in their fourth clash on the season, tenth overall, at the London Tour Finals.

Murray is one of few players who can boast a winning record over the reigning world No.1 player and minding that score he won’t be intimidated like others might be when coming up against the great Fed. Murray has beaten Federer more times than he has lost to him, even going four in a row from the 2008 Madrid Masters up to Cincinnati Masters this year.

Speaking of the defeat in Cincinnati, it shouldn’t knock a bother out of him. There is no shame to losing to a player like Federer. It was bound to happen sooner than later. Murray will set that score aside and instead, look to the task at hand: add to the win column.

If Federer wants to derail Murray before a house of British fans, Federer will have to be on top of his game. Murray has to do what he has always done against Federer to beat him and not let the pressure of the occasion and home fans get to him.

Both Federer and Murray won their openers in tough fashion. Murray was extended to three sets by Del Porto when he allowed the Argentine to run away with the second set. Meanwhile, Federer was forced to comeback from behind against Verdasco.

With one win each the two are tied for top spot in Group A. On Tuesday, they will decide which will take control of the group and ensure advancement into the knockout stages.

Tennis Betting Line: Roger Federer -130 / Andrew Murray -110

Match Time: 04:00 P.M. Eastern Time Tuesday November 24, 2009

Online Tennis Betting Verdict: The market favours Federer, if ever so slightly. Their odds are a hairbreadth apart, however, with Murray tipped in the favourite plane as well. This suggests the match is a tossup. Murray has every chance of beating Federer and vice versa. Murray has the head-to-head edge as well as home edge going for him in this match. But Federer is F-E-D-E-R-E-R, the maestro, the GOAT.

Roger Federer -130 vs. Andy Murray >>Join Now to Bet

Murray has a lot to prove in Britain, in part because he failed his fans at Wimbledon when he lost to Andy Roddick in the semis, not to mention on every single Grand Slam stage this season.

Federer has his own agenda as well. He arrived in London on the heels of back-to-back disappointments in Basel and Paris – two events he enjoys very much (his words)– and proving he is not off his boil is uppermost. There is also the fact that he missed out on the semis in Shanghai last year when, ironically, Murray eliminated him (well put the last nail in the coffin) in the Round Robin stage. He has a bone to pick with Andy methinks.