ATP Australian Open: Murray v Nishikori Odds and Betting Preview

Story by Jack Howard on 2012-01-24 14:00:02

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – British Number 1 Andy Murray faces Kei Nishikori of Japan in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open early on Wednesday morning. Murray starts the match as strong favourite with all bookmakers, and can currently be backed to progress to the next stage of the competition at best odds of 1/11 (bet £11 to make £1 profit) with Boylesports. For those punters anticipating a tournament upset – and a disappointment for British tennis fans – Nishikori is on offer to win at a market best of 9/1 with bet365.

Working alongside his new coach, former World Number 1 Ivan Lendl, Murray is hoping to capture his first Grand Slam title, a prize that has eluded him so far in his career. Murray has reached the final of the Australian Open for the last two consecutive years, falling at the final hurdle to Roger Federer in 2010 and Novak Djokovic in 2011. Murray, no doubt, will be determined to go one step further this year. The Brit star progressed to the quarterfinals with a confident display against Mikhail Kukushkin. Kukushkin retired from the contest due to injury, but only after Murray had raced to a 6-1, 6-1, 1-0 lead. Murray and his new coach will be pleased with this dominant display of tennis, and both will be hoping that he can produce a similar performance against Nishikori.

Kei Nishikori stunned sixth seed and 2008 runner up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth round, as he battled his way to a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory in three and a half hours. Nishikori spoke yesterday of his excitement to be playing in his first Grand Slam quarterfinals: “it feels unbelievable”. Whether he can go one step further and reach the semis remains to be seen.

Murray is quoted at best odds of 8/15 with Paddy Power to win the game in straight sets, an eventuality which is deemed to be highly likely by the bookmakers, whilst a more close fought 3-2 victory for the World Number 4 is on offer at longer odds of 10/1 with Stan James. A straight set victory for his Japanese opponent, on the other hand, is deemed to be very unlikely, and can be backed at odds of 40/1 with Ladbrokes. A 3-2 victory for Nishikori is on offer at shorter odds of 20/1 with Skybet.

The opening set will be vital in setting the tone for the match, and Nishikori knows that he must put his opponent under early pressure if he is to have a chance of victory. Murray is currently available at odds of 28/1 with Skybet to win the first set without dropping a game, whilst those punters who think that he will take the first set on a tie break can back Murray to win it 7-6 at 10/1 with Ladbrokes. A 6-0 victory for Nishikori in the opening set is deemed to be extraordinarily unlikely by the bookies, and can currently be backed at odds as long as 750/1 with Skybet.

World Number 1 and reigning champion Novak Djokovic is currently the overall favourite to win the tournament at evens with both Paddy Power and Blue Square. For those who think that Murray will secure his first Grand Slam, however, the Brit can be backed at 9/2 with Stan James. Nishikori is currently on offer to lift the Australian Open trophy at the end of the week at odds as long as 150/1 with Paddy Power.

Play starts at 03.30 GMT

Murray v Nishikori Match Odds

Murray v Nishikori Set Odds

Murray v Nishikori First Set Odds

Australian Open Title Odds