The Miami Open Semifinals are soon upon us, and old rivals Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych meet yet again on one side of the bracket just months after taking part in a tense Australian Open Semifinal match in January. Can Murray advance to the final for a shot at his first singles title this season? Read on as we breakdown this heated encounter.
When it comes to tournament semifinals, you can’t ignore the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four, also happening this weekend. Catch the remaining four teams in action with our complete previews for Kentucky vs. Wisconsin and Michigan State vs. Duke.
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Andy Murray vs. Tomas Berdych Preview
Where: Tennis Center at Crandon Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
Andy Murray overcame a slow start to top World No. 36 Dominic Thiem to secure his spot in the Miami Open Semifinals. Murray dropped the first set but eventually prevailed 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Another slow start may prove disastrous for Murray considering his opponent’s dominance at the tournament.
[sc:Other240banner ]The World No. 4 has struggled on his return game over the past two matches. He’s won just 39 percent of return points over that span. Murray struggled against Tomas Berdych’s first serve in their last match, a 6-7(6), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 victory for Murray in the Australian Open Semifinal. Murray won 25 of 75 first serve return points in that match.
But Murray’s service game was on another level. He won 75 percent of first serve points in that match, and saved 2 of 3 break point attempts against him. Murray had 15 aces in his Australian Open match against Berdych and a combined 25 over their last two head-to-head career matchups.
Murray’s serve is yet to fail him at Miami thus far. He’s won 83 percent of his first serve points heading into the semifinals.
Murray has won three of his last four matches against Berdych on hard surfaces.
Betting on Tomas Berdych
The Miami Open quarterfinals were all business for Tomas Berdych. He defeated Argentine Juan Monaco in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to schedule a semifinal clash against World No. 4 Murray.
Berdych has struggled to get his serves in at this tournament. He’s put just 55 percent of his first serves in throughout the Miami Open. But he’s made up for it by winning 64 percent of second serve points. He’s also done quite well on the return, winning 43 percent of return points over four matches thus far.
But as excellent as Berdych has been on the return, he’s struggled against Murray’s power over the past two career head-to-head matchups. He has converted just 33 percent of return points over that span. Berdych can still exploit Murray’s less-than-stellar return game, though. He’s won 74 percent of first serve points in his last five wins against Murray over the past five years.
Berdych has lost three of his last five appearances at ATP World Tour tournament semifinals.
Writer’s Prediction
Murray overcomes another slow start to defeat Berdych. Don’t get left behind by all the great tennis action. Create a betting account now and win some cash on the final stages of the Miami Open.
