Australian Open preview and odds: Andy Murray vs Alexander Zverev

Published on: 18/01/2016

Australian Open preview and odds: Andy Murray vs Alexander Zverev

January 19 2016 11:00am - Margaret Court Arena

Australian Open - Round 1

Andy Murray will begin his quest for a third Grand Slam title by taking on Alexander Zverev - widely regarded as one of the most talented youngsters on the circuit - in the first round of the 2016 Australian Open.

Murray boosted by Davis Cup triumph

Andy Murray has appeared in four Australian Open finals but has yet to leave Melbourne with the top prize. With that kind of record, it is hard to believe that the Scot will not bag at least one crown Down Under in his career, but will it be this year?

Murray played some incredible tennis in 2015 and perhaps reached his best ever level. Unfortunately for the Brit, Novak Djokovic raised his game to a standard that has perhaps never been seen in the history of the sport.

This years draw has been fairly kind to Murray as he can only meet one of Djokovic or Federer, and not until the final. However, first he will have to overcome the tricky challenge of Alexander Zverev.

The World No. 2 has reached the quarter-final stages of this event for the past six years and comes into this tournament on the back of a Davis Cup triumph with Great Britain.

Tough challenge for Zverev in third Grand Slam outing

Alexander Zverev ended 2015 as the youngest member of the top 100 club. He bagged 14 wins out of 18 matches on the ATP Tour including a victory over 12th-ranked Kevin Anderson at the Citi Open in Washington last July.

The former Australian Open junior champion has made it to the main draw in two previous Grand Slams but has yet to progress beyond the second round. He could cause Murray some problems, but a victory against the World No. 2 may be too much to ask at this stage of his career.

Betting odds and tips

Murray is in great form and should be able to brush off the challenge of the youngster. In the Games Handicap market, the Scot can be backed to prevail from a -9 deficit at 5/4 with Bet365.

Murray has a favourable draw in this event and can also be backed at 7/4 with Bet365 to reach the final.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 18/01/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (18/01/2016 13:32:14) but are subject to change.