Cincinatti Masters Betting Tips Day Five: Fish to fry Murray in the heat

Events / Ben Caudell / 20 August 2010 / Leave a Comment

Mardy Fish is fresher than Andy Murray ahead of this afternoon's match and that could make all the difference

"There is definitely value in backing Mardy Fish to upset the odds and make it through to the next round here today. The American is playing on home soil; he has three impressive victories so far in Cincinnati: Gilles Simon, Fernando Verdasco, and Richard Gasquet and has defeated Murray twice this year."

Ben Caudell looks ahead to Andy Murray's' quarter-final match against Mardy Fish, likely to be played in stifling and energy-sapping conditions that should suit the big-serving American.

Andy Murray once again struggled with the playing conditions in Cincinnati yesterday against Ernests Gulbis. The young Brit fought back from a set down to clinch a 4-6 6-3 7-6 victory in the searing heat with the Mercury exceeding 32C, thus reaching the quarter final stage for the second year running.

The Scot now faces Mardy Fish, a player he has battled against on six previous occasions. The head-to-head series is tied at three matches apiece. However, it will be Murray who will be seeking to avenge their two most recent encounters in which Fish stole the spoils, a three set win at Queens and a 6-4 6-4 win at the Miami Masters earlier in the year. Reflecting on his two losses to Mardy Fish, Murray stated:

"When I played against him this year, I was really struggling confidence-wise, I wasn't playing particularly well. The last two have been tough but I feel like I'm playing way way better than I was a few months ago. If I play like I have been I have a chance of winning"
Although Murray is high on confidence after winning in Toronto last week and extremely happy with his ability on the hard courts in the run-up to Flushing Meadows, there does however remain a concern about his stamina and his fatigue. The 23 year-old at times looks exhausted here in Cincinnati partly because of the heat but also due to the fact that he has played practically a match a day over the last three weeks. Murray issued a plea to the tournament officials to be handed a late game against Fish to avoid the afternoon heat, but unfortunately for him they fell on deaf ears as he will kick off the proceedings for Friday's quarter final matches.

There is definitely value in backing Mardy Fish to upset the odds and make it through to the next round here today. The American is playing on home soil; he has three impressive victories so far in Cincinnati: Gilles Simon, Fernando Verdasco, and Richard Gasquet and has defeated Murray twice this year. If this match was to take place in the evening than I would have to be backing Murray because of the slower pace of the court and more suitable playing conditions for him. With them starting off proceedings, I believe that Murray will throw in the towel, call it a day and take a well-earned rest ahead of the Us Open.

Selection:

Back Mardy Fish @ [2.6] to win match