Andy Murray in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open, Melbourne
Andy Murray in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open, Melbourne | (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)

Tennis | ATP Doha 2023 | Murray looks to build on positive Australian Open campaign against Sonego

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Andy Murray [WC] v Lorenzo Sonego
  • H2H: First Meeting
DOHA, QATAR – Andy Murray looks to capitalise on his positive Australian Open campaign against Lorenzo Sonego in his Doha opener.

 

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H2H & Match Fundamentals

Andy Murray [WC] v Lorenzo Sonego H2H: First Meeting
ATP Doha Doha, Qatar
Hard (O) Prize Money: $14,440
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Andy Murray will look to build on a positive Australian Open campaign when he plays his first match since the first Grand Slam of the year against Lorenzo Sonego in Doha.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)

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H2H: Andy Murray (WR 70) Lorenzo Sonego (WR 60)
Tournament Previous Best Winner (2008, 2009) R1 (2020, 2021)
1st Serve % 63.8 66.3
Service Games Won % 84.1 82.5
Break Points Saved % 65.8 64.6
2nd Serve Return Points Won % 50.6 45
Break Points Converted % 32.4 36.2

Murray will need to improve his break point conversion rate if he wants to have any chance against Sonego’s effective serve.

 

 

Playing styles and prediction

Sonego pushed Hubert Hurkacz to five sets at the Australian Open as well as reaching the quarter-finals in Montpellier. The Italian will be looking to gain some momentum over the next few weeks as he looks to climb back inside the top 50 in the world and give himself a chance of being seeded by the time Roland Garros comes around.

Murray will look to anticipate Sonego’s service patterns successfully while maintaining a consistent level on serve. The Italian will look to use his first serve to dominate the tempo of the match as he looks to be aggressive and proactive against Murray’s defence. After the Australian Open, it’s safe to say Murray has got his fitness back but now the Brit will look to be more aggressive and finish matches off earlier. Regardless of whether Murray has that clinical instinct or not, he should have the ability to grind out a result here.

Prediction: Murray in three sets.

 

 

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