Andy Murray is still enjoying his Wimbledon victory but very soon the Scot will have to forget his three-sets triumph over Novak Djokovic and begin focussing on the defence of his US Open crown.
Murray is now a seasoned champ and is expected to at least make the semis at Flushing Meadows later this summer. He will have to train just as hard over the coming two months to remain in peak physical fitness, the defining factor in his rise to Wimbledon champion.
For tennis betting fans, the temptation to back Murray for another US Open triumph is big indeed. However, a lot can happen between now and first serve in New York, which is why we should look at odds closer to the present.
Murray will play the Masters 1000 Rogers Cup at the start of August – a tournament he’s twice won in the past. The 26-year-old claimed victory over Juan Martin del Potro and Roger Federer in 2009 and 2010 respectively; if he is to win this title again he will probably face one of these opponents en route to the final.
After the Rogers, it’s time for the Cincinnati Masters (10-18 August) where Murray has also won twice before. He crushed Djokovic over two sets in both 2008 and 2011 and is a solid favourite with the online tennis odds to clinch a third crown.
With previous success in both tournaments, Murray is a far safer bet to win these Masters 1000 events than the US Open. At a major, almost anything can happen and his opposition will push him harder than a tour event.
Although the Masters 1000 tournaments are taken seriously, no player will risk their fitness for the title with the US Open just around the corner. Next year, when Wimbledon is coming to a close, and pundits are already making their picks for the new season, expect Murray to win at least one hard-court title.
