French Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 30 May 2010 /

After a tough first week at Roland Garros, Andy Murray embarks on what promises to be a hard-fought contest against in-form Tomas Berdych. Does Ben Caudell believe the Brit's fighting spirit will see him into week two?

Andy Murray (GBR) v Tomas Berdych (CZE)

Andy Murray has had a rather torturous first week at the French Open. The young Brit began his French Open campaign with a five set epic against Richard Gasquet before requiring two rain hit days to see off Juan Ignacio Chela. Murray showed us his fighting capabilities and formidable staying power against Marco Baghdatis who he had previously lost to twice, triumphing 6-2 6-3 0-6 6-2.

Today, Murray will find himself once again in a savage battle of grit and determination, he will have to dig deep into his energy reserves if he is to dispatch of Tomas Berdych a player he shares a 1-1 head to head record with.

Berdych has had a slightly less troubled route into the fourth round and is still to drop a set. The Czech No.1 who is ranked 17 in the world made light work of his third round opponent John Isner. In total Murray has played 10 hours and 11 minutes of tennis compared with Berdych's six hours and 15 minutes, although this match will by no means be a slog fest we should expect at least four sets. Berdych hits the ball extremely flat and tends to go for winners early on in the rally whereas Murray feeds off his opponents' mistakes.

This match could come down the consistency on serve. Murray has struggled so far in his matches with his second serve, in his last two the Brit achieved less than 45% of second serve points won, whereas Berdych has consistently achieved over 70% of his second serve points won. Against Isner, Berdych was formidable on his service games recording 93% of first serve points won and incredible 73% of second serve points won.

Both players will be looking at the draw and fancying there chances of reaching the semi-finals; whoever wins today's match will play either Mikhail Youzhny or Jo Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals and then the possibility of Roger Federer or Robin Soderling in the following round.

The fact that And Murray has been underwhelming both pre-French Open and during gives me reason to side with the value on Berdych, who has so far had one of his best years on the circuit. Berdych is 8-2 and Murray 6-4 on the clay, this could be the end of the road for the Brit and a debut French Open quarter-final awaits Berdych. There will certainly be no lack of commitment from either player.

Recommended bets:

Back Tomas Berdych @ [2.5] to Win Match
Back over 38.5 Games @ [1.9]

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