Andy Murray is getting better with age and I expect a big 2010 from a more mature Andy Murray. Having hit form at all the wrong times last season the Scotsman should be a little more canny this year and will be primed for the Australian Open.
On top form it is Genie’s opinion that Murray currently the best hard court player around. He won 6 titles last year; 5 of them on the hard surface. Each of the 5 hard court victories had a world class field. Federer may have won 2 grand slams last year but he is definitely a player in decline and is a much more appealing prospect for the improving and fresh Andy Murray (who has a 6-4 win record over Fed don’t forget).
Djokovic is a consistenet performer but he doesn’t have the x-factor required to beat an in-form Nadal, Del Potro and Murray. Del Potro is of course a bag of natural talent and is proving to be a more consistent performer these days but back-to-back grand slams is a lot to ask. Davydenko is playing his best ever tennis but I just can’t back him at anything less that 20/1. He has had an excellent few months but historically has been found wanting against the big boys over 5 sets.
Andy Murray can rule the hard courts in 2010 and 6.8/1 is too big a price for such a proven performer.
Value seekers could do worse than to look at last year’s unlucky semi-finalist Fernando Verdasco, who toppled Murray last year and should really have beaten Nadal in the semi.
Verdasco is currently avalaible at 50/1 with William Hill
Recommendation
Andy Murray to win the Aussie Open Men’s Singles @ 7.8 with Betfair.
If going for fixed odds then take Ladbrokes’ 6/1.