Andy Murray eyes Seppi win on Beijing return

Jake Davies

Tennis

October 3, 2016

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By Jake Davies

Andy Murray [1] vs Andreas Seppi
Murray’s first match since his exploits in Glasgow
Kyle Edmund enters the Main Draw and plays Guillermo Garcia-Lopez

BEIJING, CHINA – Andy Murray is joined in the main draw by Kyle Edmund, as we preview their opening matches in a packed field.

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Andy Murray [1] vs Andreas Seppi H2H: Murray leads 7-1

Andy Murray makes a rare return to the China Open this week as he prepares for the final stretch of a long, successful season – his best season on tour to date. This is a tournament that has evaded the British player in the past, but Murray has achieved notable success in China in the past with memorable wins twice in Shanghai and in Shenzhen in 2014.

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Murray’s first opponent in Beijing will be Italy’s Seppi, a very good professional, who has been a regular on the ATP tour for quite some time now. One of the flaws in Seppi’s game is that he does not have a powerful, domineering game or weapon that can get him free points during matches.

The World No.2 Murray has enjoyed playing the Italian in the past and leads the H2H 7-1. The last time Seppi was able to get a win over Murray was back in 2006 in Nottingham – their first ever meeting. Murray also boasts an unblemished record on hard courts against Seppi, who admittedly prefers the conditions of a clay court over an outdoor hard surface.

Seppi has lost a lot of first round matches this year and will realise the significance of staying inside the World’s Top 100, which will allow him to play the biggest tennis events against the best players. The problem for Seppi in this match up against Murray is that he cannot overwhelm Murray from the baseline exchanges. Seppi’s lack of power will hand the initiative to Murray, who will enjoy the additional time he will have on the ball in this encounter.

Prediction: Murray in two sets

Kyle Edmund vs Guillermo Garcia-Lopez H2H: Garcia-Lopez leads 1-0

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Edmund, who qualified for the main draw through a victory over Evgeny Donskoy, will now play experienced Spaniard Garcia-Lopez. Although Garcia Lopez is more familiar with a clay court, including beating Stan Wawrinka at the French Open, he also acquits himself nicely on a hard court. The Spaniard has a fearful one-handed backhand that can really strike through the tennis court when he is feeling great about his tennis.

Prediction: Garcia-Lopez in two sets.