Murray has genuine threat for Queens titleAndy Murray’s expected stroll in the tennis odds to the 2013 Aegon Championships title in June is under threat after Tomas Berdych confirmed he will also play at Queen’s Club this season.
Murray won the tournament in 2010 and 2011 yet crashed out in the second round to Nicolas Mahut over three sets last season, leaving his Wimbledon preparations in tatters.
Although the Scot went on to make the final on Centre Court a month later, the lack of playing time on grass leading up to the Championships must have irked him and he will not want to replicate that scenario this season.
Not that Murray’s path to the title will be easy, for with Berdych set to play the Queens trophy is very much up for contention. The Czech is determined to win Wimbledon himself after making the final in 2010 and reportedly sees Queens as perfect preparation.
“I think it could be a good advantage to be in London to get used to the conditions and to those great courts, and I think this is exactly what I need before Wimbledon,” he told BBC Sport.
Currently ranked sixth in the world, Berdych has won four of his eight previous clashes with Murray although they have never met on grass. With the pair expected to top the field at Queens – unless Rafael Nadal opts to warm-up for Wimbledon in London –fans in the online betting world can expect to witness a Murray/Berdych final.
This expected match-up won’t scare Murray – he will use the challenge to his advantage ahead of Wimbledon – but no-doubt he would like to earn a title before heading into the Grand Slam.
Nothing does one’s game more good than a boost of confidence earned from a trophy and Murray will be more than happy with his Queens exploits should he bypass his Czech adversary.
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