Events / Ben Caudell / 17 August 2011 /

With just over a week to go until the US Open gets underway on August 29, Andy Murray needs to find form fast. Can he do so in Ohio this evening?

David Nalbandian (ARG) v Andy Murray (GBR)
Andy Murray will be desperately trying to find some sort of form after his surprise second round loss to Kevin Anderson in Montreal last week. He needs to kick-start his US Open build-up when he meets David Nalbandian in the opening match in Cincinnati today.

The Brit, who is ranked 46 places higher than his opponent at number four, has a tied head-to-head series at 2-2 with the Argentine but Murray can be buoyed by the fact that he has won their two previous meetings, a three set win in Paris last November and a 6-2 6-2 triumph this time last year at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

This week could be pivotal week for the young Brit. It's his last chance to get some matches under his belt before the start of the US Open - his favourite Slam - and I expect him to come out guns blazing and record his first win on the hard-courts since Melbourne.

With both players lacking the killer instinct during the American hard court swing, Murray can rely on his healthier overall stats to go through to the third round. An important stat He's won ten matches in a row as a moderate favourite (1.20 - 1.499), holds a better surface rating and match rating (match ratings assess form specific to the current tournament conditions and the opposing player) and has a 8-2 record in Cincinnati.

Furthermore, Nalbandian has lost seven matches in a row against top ten players, was knocked out in the first round of both Washington and Montreal and is yet to make it past the quarter-finals in Cincinnati. Murray was victorious here in 2008.

With Murray too short to back in the match odds [1.31], my best bet is to back Murray in the handicap since I believe this will be a straight sets win for the ardent Scot.

Recommended Bet: Back Murray -4.5 Games @2.28

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