Wimbledon Betting: Murray and Nadal to go the distance

Wimbledon Betting / Ben Caudell / 02 July 2010 / Leave a Comment

A disconsolate Murray surrenders to Nadal back in 2008 in what was man against boy but the Scot is now fitter and stronger...

"The Spaniard will be hoping for a slog-fest from the back of the court as he’ll fancy his chances of coming out on top in a match of that nature, this one could well turn into a five setter. Fortunately for Murray, he has become a tough opponent to grind down in matches that go the distance and is currently 4-1 in five set matches."

Ben Caudell tells us why this might well be Andy Murray's best chance yet of winning a Grand Slam with Andy Roddick and Roger Federer out of the picture. But there's the small matter of a semi against Rafael Nadal first in what could turn out to be a classic...

Andy Murray (GBR) v Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Friday's semi-final epic between home favourite Andy Murray and the No.1 ranked player in the world (and former Wimbledon Champion) Rafael Nadal, has all the makings of what actually might feel like a Wimbledon Final. Whoever succeeds and makes his way through to Sunday's finale, will undoubtedly become the favourite to be crowned the 2010 champion. If it happens to be Murray, the first British male tennis player since Bunny Austin in 1938, we will be assured of a new title holder and maybe the start of a new era in Grand Slam tennis.

It is amazing that two such young tennis players (Murray 24, Nadal 23) have played one another ten times so far in their distinguished careers, and there will no doubt be many, many, more semi finals or even Grand Slam finals to look forward to in the near future, especially now that Federer is struggling slightly with his game.

Rafael leads the head-to-head series 7-3 and won the only match played between the two at SW19, the quarter final that Nadal cruised through 6-3 6-2 6-4 two years ago. However, this match was played soon after the epic between Murray and Richard Gasquet that went to five sets; this was also the encounter that Murray decided to get in better shape after.

He is now fitter, stronger and quicker around the court than he was two years ago so don't expect the same scoreline in today's match. Instead, expect Murray to put in the performance of his life.

The Scot will have all the support he needs from the patriotic crowd on centre court and this is probably his best -ever chance to date of winning a Grand Slam title.
Murray's serve is key to who wins this match. If he serves at high percentages on both first and second serves and conjures up a high count of aces/unreturnables than there is no doubt in my mind he will get chances on Rafa's weaker serve.

The Spaniard will be hoping for a slog-fest from the back of the court as he'll fancy his chances of coming out on top in a match of that nature, this one could well turn into a five setter. Fortunately for Murray, he has become a tough opponent to grind down in matches that go the distance and is currently 4-1 in five set matches.

This is a very tough match to call. I wouldn't advise getting involved at the start of the match on the match odds market but rather I'll be backing the player who gets broken first or loses the first set.

I would be more inclined to back "overs" on the total games market at the start and taking a punt that it will go the distance.

Selection:

Back Over 39.5 Games @ [1.5] (Total Games Market)
Back Tie Break @ [1.6]
Back Five Sets @[ 3.3] (Number Of Sets market)