Andy Murray backed to pick Stefanos Tsitsipas apart
On paper, Stefanos Tsitsipas should be the favourite when he meets unseeded Andy Murray in the second round of Wimbledon, but the two-time champion has turned the doubters into believers in recent weeks and presents a significant hurdle to the world No 5.
Former British No 1 Laura Robson believes that Stefanos Tsitsipas has clear weaknesses on grass that Murray can zero in on.
Even if he came through a long five-setter Tsitsipas’ match with Thiem suffered frequent interruptions and he shouldn’t be suffering any great ill-effects.
Robson feels that Murray will do his homework on Tsitsipas who has limited experience on grass.
“I think it’s a really good match up for Andy,” Robson told Eurosport.
“I don’t think Stef loves the grass and Andy will try to pick his game apart.
“When someone has a big first serve Andy loves to be able to read the play and move back, move forward and change things up as the match goes on.
“Andy is so into his stats as well so I am sure he will be looking up all the numbers of Stef’s first-round match and seeing what he can do differently.”
Former Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander believes that of all the top seeds Murray could have faced at this stage, Tsitsipas is an ideal draw.
“Obviously it’s tough to play Stefanos Tsitsipas on any surface but I think grass is the surface that Andy Murray would choose if he had a choice.
“Tsitsipas has a big first serve and his forehand is great, but maybe Andy can attack his backhand a bit on a grass court.
“Tsitsipas likes it when the ball bounces a bit higher and he can get some spin on his backhand. His sliced backhand is not great to begin with and on a grass court you need a sliced backhand.
“For me it’s a perfect draw for Andy to play one of the top guys early in the tournament when the grass is still green and the bounce is a bit lower.
“For Stefanos this is a situation where he can possibly relax a bit because is he supposed to beat Andy Murray?”
“I guess because of the ranking but not really.
“Obviously the fans will be going crazy and that will be good for both players – sometimes the player they are rooting against gets fired up too because the crowd is so involved.
“But it’s a good draw for Murray I think.”
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