The week before a Grand Slam typically sees a lull in the calibre of tennis available. But not this year.
The Geneva Open features a star-studded line up, with Britain’s Andy Murray facing Yannick Hanfmann in the first round. The prize for the winner? A second round clash against Novak Djokovic.
For Murray, it’s been another year characterised by physical struggles. The 36-year-old injured himself at the Miami Open in March, tearing a ligament in his ankle.
Showing typical tenacity, the Brit has rehabbed and is back on the court already, having played a Challenger last week. Now, he takes to the clay of Geneva, hoping to get a little momentum ahead of Roland-Garros.
Hanfmann poses a tricky opponent for Murray. The German isn’t in great form–he’s suffered first or second-round losses in his past five tournaments, including last week at a Challenger in Turin.
However, Hanfmann has been known to pull off an upset or two in his time; just ask Nicolas Jarry and Sebastian Korda, who he's beaten already this year.
Can Murray navigate the challenge of Hanfmann and set up a blast from the past match against Djokovic? Read on for our Murray vs Hanfmann prediction and betting tips.
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How the Bookies View It: Hanfmann the Favourite
Bookmakers aren’t feeling sentimental here, and have Hanfmann as the slight favourite to take out this match. The German pays 8/11 to win, compared to Murray’s 11/10. Set betting says this one will most likely be 2-0 to Hanfmann, with this result paying 7/4.
Recent Head-to-Head: Advantage Murray
Murray and Hanfmann have met just once before on the ATP Tour, with Murray winning in straight sets. The match was last year, in the round of 32 at Basel on indoor hard court.
Anything Else Catch the Eye?
Prior to his injury in Miami, Murray had finally begun to play a decent level of tennis again. The Brit had picked up first-round wins in Doha, Dubai and Indian Wells. He then defeated Matteo Berrettini and Thomas Martin Etcheverry to make the last 32 in Miami.
There, he lost by the narrowest of margins to Tomas Machac. The Czech beat him in a third set tiebreak, with the match lasting almost three-and-a-half hours. Murray came within inches of winning, but it was also during this match that he injured his ankle.
Since returning, Murray has looked understandably scratchy. He played at a Challenger in Bordeaux last week, winning his opening match before losing in the second round.
Cometh the man, cometh the hour, however. Despite Murray’s underwhelming results over the past five years, the former world No 1 knows how to get up for a big match. He’ll be fizzing at the idea of playing Djokovic in the second round, so he won’t be short of motivation in this clash.
Murray vs Hanfmann Betting Tips & Predictions
Expect Murray to get through this match, and get through it well. Usually, we’d pick the Brit to get it done in three long sets, but there’s something about this one that says he’ll take things up a gear.
- Murray to win @ 11/10
- Murray to win 2-0 @ 11/4
Murray and Hanfmann will play fourth on Center Court at the Geneva Open on Monday, not before 6pm local time.
In December 2020 we sadly 
