Is it slam time for Andy Murray?

With Andy Murray being made favourite for this years Australian Open we examine his chances and look at the stats from his previous encounters against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

In the head to heads Murray's record against Federer reads won 5(won 6 if you include the exhibition win in Abu Dhabi) and lost 2, against Nadal Murray has won 1(2 if you again include Abu Dhabi exhibition) and lost 5. But the real statistics as we are going into a Grand Slam is the 5 set head to heads, Murray has only played Federer once over 5 sets and that was in last years US Open final were he was comprehensively outplayed, against Nadal it reads lost 2 - one of those defeats was in Melbourne in 2007 - and won only 1 in last years US Open and that was over two days.

4th seed Murray of late seems to have the wood over Federer and dare i say Nadal as well who dosen't seem to have recaptured the great form he showed in the early to middle part of the 2008 season. Will this provide Murray with the mental edge having a good record against both over the recent months or will the two multiple grand slam winners experience and know-how in these massive tournaments help either of them to see off the plucky scot.



With the seeding and the draw completed Murray if all goes to plan should meet Nadal in the semi-finals with Federer in the other half of the draw, meaning that he will probally have to beat both again if he's to be successful. Murray's opening match which shouldn't cause him to many problems is against Romanian Andrei Pavel who has been out of action injured since last February and is only in Melbourne on an injury-protected ranking.

With the five sets in play during this tournament it would surely be a massive ask to expect Murray to beat both Nadal and Federer in successive games so for this reason i wouldn't be backing him at the short price he is to win outright but a bet on him reaching the final may be good value.

Murray v Federer final is best priced 7/2 at both Ladbrokes and Paddy Power.

To win outright Murray is best priced at 3/1 with Sportingbet.

Federer seems to be the favourite now and can be backed at a best priced 9/4 with Paddy Power and Sky Bet.

There is a free bet available with all of the above listed bookmakers.