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Sir Andy Murray, the former world number one and five-time Australian Open runner-up, returns to the land down under this weekend. He will face the Argentine Thomas Martin Etcheverry for what should be a tight matchup. Etcheverry outlasted the Brit in Basel in October the last time these two met. Read on to access an expert Murray vs Etcheverry prediction and explore the latest Andy Murray odds and news for the Australian Open 2024.
- Andy Murray vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry, The Australian Open
- First Round
- Hard Surface (Outdoors)
- Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- ESPN, ESPN+
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Andy Murray Odds
Andy Murray is slightly favored to knock out Etcheverry early, with highly-rated sportsbook BetOnline posting a number of (-134) next to his name. The Argentine is available at (+120), indicating an implied probability of winning is around 45%.
Australian Open 
Jannik Sinner -2991 TBA -1400 Botic van de Zandschulp +1241 TBA +700
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Andy Murray Odds and Current Form
Former world number one Andy Murray clinched three Grand Slam titles at the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016. Interestingly, he has contested more than half of his major finals in Melbourne. After finishing as the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2010 and Novak Djokovic four times in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016, Murray emerged as the most consistent challenger to the “Big Three” over the past two decades. Unfortunately, his fortunes took a downturn, facing nearly career-ending injuries after his remarkable 2016 season.
Although Murray exhibited promising form at the beginning of the last season, a setback occurred at Wimbledon due to an unfortunate curfew, leading to a defeat against Stefanos Tsitsipas despite being two sets up. Notably, Murray made headlines in Melbourne last year with two thrilling five-set encounters against Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis, sparking a debate on tennis’ timing issues. It appears the Australian Open committee is aiming to fix that by starting the tournament on a Sunday, but some skeptics wonder if it’s just yet another money grab.
Australian Open 2024: Pleasant Weather in the Forecast
Contending at the Australian Open poses the additional challenge of navigating the sweltering weather, a persistent concern in past tournaments. The event, held during the intense summer months in Australia, has instituted a heat policy to prioritize the well-being of professional athletes. With Rod Laver Arena featuring a retractable roof, organizers can opt to move matches indoors based on specific weather conditions.
In the record-breaking 2009 tournament, the policy was invoked multiple times due to exceptionally high temperatures, averaging 34.7 °C (94.5 °F). Fast forward to the 2023 edition; on the second day, the policy was enforced as temperatures surged to 98 degrees Fahrenheit, with a “feels like” temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, play on all open courts was halted until conditions improved.
Fortunately, as per the latest weather forecast, the initial three days of the 2024 Australian Open might witness varying intensities of rainfall. However, starting from January 17, the weather is predicted to clear up, establishing ideal conditions for the highly anticipated tennis spectacle that fans worldwide have been eagerly awaiting. Forecasts suggest temperatures in the 70s for at least the first week, providing a pleasant atmosphere for both players and spectators on the grounds.
Andy Murray vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry Prediction for Australian Open 2024
Tomas Martin Etcheverry, a 24-year-old Argentine, enters the Australian Open with a career-high ATP world ranking of 30th. This follows an impressive journey to the quarter-finals of Roland-Garros on his preferred clay surface. While showcasing his prowess on clay, Etcheverry has proven to be a formidable competitor on hardcourts as well. In previous encounters, he and Murray engaged in a closely contested three-set match at Indian Wells, with Murray emerging victorious, only for Etcheverry to reciprocate with a similar outcome at the Swiss Indoors in October.
As both players head into this fixture, Etcheverry has faced two three-set losses in the current season, while Murray secured the first set against eventual Brisbane champion Grigor Dimitrov before succumbing in his first match of 2024. Should this match prove to be closely contested, Etcheverry’s youth may play to his advantage. At just 24 years old, he holds a considerable age advantage over the 36-year-old Murray. This age difference could potentially benefit the younger player in a tight and competitive set. His effective serving expects to keep him competitive regardless.
Considering the historical context of their matchups and Murray’s performance in the previous Australian Open, this match appears to be a strong candidate for a five-set showdown. With that being said, targeting the over is a great betting choice here. Taking over 40 total games allows for the possibility of not only cashing in a 5-set instance, but potentially in less if neither player is able to convert break points consistently. Take over 40 at (-108), available at BetOnline, for a half unit play.
Top Sportsbooks for Andy Murray Odds
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