No. 2-seed Andy Murray has played four times in the Australian Open finals but has fallen short all those games, more recently against Novak Djokovic in last year’s staging of the event. Now making another strong run in the tournament, Murray looks to defeat No. 16 Bernard Tomic to assure himself of a seat in the quarterfinals. Will Murray blow by Tomic anew? Or will Tomic pull off a shocker?
Read on for more about this matchup. You can also check out our preview of Angelique Kerber vs. Annika Beck.
[sc:AUS15-250 ]Tomic has never reached the quarterfinal round of the Australian Open thus far in his career. If he’s to get there this year, he’ll have to overcome a giant task in the form of Andy Murray.
Tomic gained entry into the fourth round of this year’s edition of the Grand Slam Down Under by after defeating Aussie John Millman in third round in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. Prior to that game, Millman victimized Simone Bolelli and Denis Istomin in the second and first round, respectively.
Not one of those opponents is a top 50 player, which explains why Tomic has dropped just two sets on his way into the fourth round.
In any case, Tomic will have to continue the strong play he’s shown in the past contests. So far in the tournament, Tomic has hit more winners (149) than unforced errors (108). Moreover, Tomic has his serve-game looking good with 60 aces.
Andy Murray’s dream of winning an Australian Open title remains a possibility this year after beating No. 32 Joao Sousa in the third round, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. He’ll face another ranked opponent in Tomic, but based on his previous encounters with the Australian, it seems Murray will have another walk in the park victory this Monday.
Murray has met Tomic three times in past, winning them all. That includes the Brit’s dominant 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 hard surface victory over Tomic in the semifinals of the 2015 Davis Cup. Prior to that, Murray whipped Tomic in the Masters 1000 in Miami in 2013 to the tune of a 6-3, 6-1 score.
Murray is bringing his imposing defensive game into Monday’s meeting with Tomic. Murray has broken his opponents’ serves 19 times on 36 break chances thus far in the 2016 Australian Open. His opponents have also committed 119 total unforced errors. Moreover, Murray’s devastating first serve is going to be a big problem for Tomic, as he’s been broken only three times in the tournament.
Murray is 26–16 in Grand Slam tournament games on hard surfaces.
