Sony Ericsson Tips: End of the line for Murray

Events / Ben Caudell / 30 March 2012 /

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Another semi-final defeat for Murray?

"I have fancied the Spaniard to win this event since the start of the tournament and will therefore hang up my patriotic hat and recommend a bet on Nadal @ [1.77]."

It's Nadal v Murray for the 19th time and the Spaniard looks set to extend his good record against the Scot, says Ben Caudell

Friday brings the men's semi-finals at the Miami Masters with Rafael Nadal starting proceedings against Andy Murray at 8pm UK time in a match-up that will see two heavy weights of the men's game face one another for the 19th time.

It was at the Australian Open in 2007 that Nadal opened his account against Murray with a five-set fourth round victory. The Spaniard then went onto record another four wins in a row against the Brit, before Murray finally triumphed a year later at the US Open.

Nadal experienced a poor year in 2011 by his own very high standards, yet still recorded four wins and only one loss against Murray. Having reached the final of the Australian Open and the semi-final last week in Indian Wells, the 2012 season has seen the Spaniard's passion for the game reignited with a tournament win imminent, especially with the clay court season just around the corner.

Although Murray spends a lot of time practising in the Florida sun and probably feels a little more at home than Rafa in Miami, it is important to take note of the left-hander's impressive 13-5 head-to-head series lead over the fiery Scot. Nadal also boasts a superior ranking, match rating (Match Ratings assess form specific to the current tournament conditions and the opposing player taking into account head-to-heads) and also surface rating.

Both players strained to get through their quarter-final matches with Murray scraping past Janko Tipsarevic in three sets after getting treatment for a stomach upset, and Nadal struggling to make an impact, especially on serve, against Jo Wilfried Tsonga in a match that was also played out over three sets.

This match is a tough one to call and it could go either way. However I have fancied the Spaniard to win this event since the start of the tournament and will therefore hang up my patriotic hat and recommend a bet on Nadal @ [1.77].

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