tennis | Tuesday, August 9, 2022 7:45 AM (Revised at: Tuesday, August 9, 2022 8:13 AM)

Tuesday Tennis Best Bet: ATP Montreal, Taylor Fritz vs Andy Murray

Jon Reid

Taylor Fritz vs Andy Murray Best Bet: Tuesday, August 9th

Tuesday’s selection from the men’s tournament in Montreal actually comes from a match that was originally supposed to be played on Monday, but was a casualty of the rain on the order of play. It’s a contest between Taylor Fritz and the veteran Andy Murray.

In this article:

Taylor Fritz vs Andy Murray Preview
Taylor Fritz vs Andy Murray Best Bet

Taylor Fritz vs Andy Murray Preview

August 9th, Time TBD

It’s surprising to see this handicap at just three games (albeit, at a slightly more expensive price) for a match between these two.

Fritz has had success on the hard courts this season, has a big serve and groundstrokes, while also possessing the return game to pressure Murray’s serve – which isn’t up there among the best on tour.

While Fritz did succumb to the heat after failing to close out Dan Evans from a set and break up last week in Washington, there are a few things to remember. First, Murray was also feeling it against Mikael Ymer, and secondly, Montreal is expected to be humid, but not necessarily very hot (relative to last week in Washington or where the women are playing in Toronto, anyway).

That match is also a decent comparable in terms of stylistic matchup, since Fritz will be playing another baseliner who’s game is predicated on consistency and extending rallies. The difference is, that in 2022, Evans is probably a better mover than Murray, which is key against the power of Fritz – meaning the American shouldn’t have nearly as many difficulties this time around.

Murray may have looked like he was turning the corner in his comeback during grass season, but last week, he looked every bit of his age and the player we had seen prior to the grass season. The legendary level is long gone, and this handicap should be at least 3.5 games, with four being the correct number for me.

Taylor Fritz vs Andy Murray Best Bet

After seeing Murray struggle again last week, and knowing Fritz’s ability and talent level, I have no problem giving the Brit a head start.

It’s also worth noting that Murray’s backhand has always been a great equaliser for him, along with his rally tolerance. When he gets players into crosscourt, backhand rallies, he knows that his opponent is far more likely to commit the unforced error than he is. Fritz is one of the guys on the tour who’s backhand isn’t a liability and who can hang with the veteran in that regard. What’s more, he’s capable of dialling up the pace from that wing when he’s got his timing down and ending points in his favour from that side.

I’ll be backing the younger and much more talented (at this stage of their respective careers) player in this matchup.