Andy Murray will be back in action when he takes the court against Alexander Zverev at the Western & Southern Open on Monday. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is kicking off his campaign against Ricardas Berankis.
(5) Alexander Zverev vs. (WC) Andy Murray
Zverev and Murray will be facing each other for just the second time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Cincinnati Masters on Monday. Their only previous meeting came four years ago at the Australian Open, where Murray cruised 6-1, 6-2, 6-3. Zverev, of course, is a much different player now. The 23-year-old German is up to No. 7 in the world and has won three Masters 1000 titles (and a year-end championship, as well). Zverev was decent in exhibition events during the coronavirus hiatus, compiling a 3-3 record on the ill-fated Adria Tour and a 3-0 record at UTS.
Murray played in the Battle of the Brits last month and went 2-2, losing only in tiebreakers for the third set against both Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans. The 33-year-old Scot opened at this event on Saturday with a 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-1 victory over Frances Tiafoe that required two hours and 28 minutes. It was not a high-quality match and given the fact that Murray is always a question mark from a physical standpoint these days, it remains to be seen how he will recover. This is a winnable match for the three-time slam winner if Zverev serves poorly, but otherwise the edge goes to a more physically fit favorite.
Pick: Zverev in 3
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(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (Q) Ricardas Berankis
Djokovic’s year has been a tumultuous one. Recent controversies include the coronavirus-plagued Adria Tour and anti-vaccination comments. As for his on-court exploits prior to the hiatus, the top-ranked Serb could have lost to Dominic Thiem in a five-set Australian Open final and should have lost to Gael Monfils in straight sets at the Dubai Duty Free Championships.
Up first for Djokovic on Monday is a second career contest against Berankis, who got blown out 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in round one of the 2013 U.S. Open. The 72nd-ranked Lithuanian already has three matches under his belt this time around, however. After successfully qualifying for the Cincinnati main draw, Berankis battled to a 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5 win over Tommy Paul on Saturday. Djokovic will almost certainly win this one, but he may not be overly dominant this week for various reasons (including a minor neck issue that has force him out of doubles) and Berankis has plenty of confidence. This could be somewhat competitive.
Pick: Djokovic in 2 losing 8-10 games
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WWW?
Zv in 2….Joker rolls.
Muzzah (Well, that’s mostly hope, but he *could* win.
Berankis — no, no hope for him! Djoker in 2 not very complicated sets.
NoVax is suffering from “neck pain” and has pulled out of the doubles. The commies are saying the courts are very fast this year. Not great for the #1. Maybe Berankis will win a few extra games. Too bad Roger’s not fit yet – he loves a fast court! Rafa, not so much.
Rafa has said he doesn’t mind fast courts but because he’s so good on clay he’s been labelled as a slow courter. Rafa does very well against big servers. On the tour, he’s never lost to Karlovic – 5:0 and Isner – 7:0.
approved
This is what Rafa thinks about the speed of courts
https://twitter.com/troublefault/status/1133930773495631873?s=20
They used to say Rafa would never win the USO because it’s fast yet he’s won it 4 times in the last decade, more than anyone else and is only one title behind Sampras and Federer.
Murray is stil superior player than Zverev and he is a LOT
stronger mentally, so Murry wil win 2-1.
Novak will win with something like 6-3, 6-2.
Unbelievable how mentally fragile Zverev is. I would never rely on this guy. I don’t bet, I was rooting for Murray, but I think it’s terribly frustrating to be in Zverev’s box.