- Andy Murray [WC] def Adrian Mannarino 6-3 6-2
- Murray v Carlos Alcaraz [30] | H2H: First Meeting
INDIAN WELLS, USA – Andy Murray eased past Adrian Mannarino in straight sets to set up a second round showdown with US Open quarter-finalist Carlos Alcaraz.
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Andy Murray [WC] def Adrian Mannarino 6-3 6-2
Andy Murray won his second Masters 1000 match of the season after easing past Adrian Mannarino in a comfortable victory on Friday evening in California. The slow court conditions saw some gruelling rallies early on as Murray used the whole court to test Mannarino’s athleticism. Despite Mannarino’s deep backhands from the back of the court, the Frenchman’s attacking shots barely had any effect in the slow and heavy conditions.
Eventually Murray’s variety in shot-making and usage of the court saw him create and take his first break point of the match to take a 4-2 lead. That was the only break of the set as Murray cruised on serve, winning 82% of his first service points. A hold to love sealed the opening set 6-3 in 40 minutes.
The second set was just as comfortable for Murray on return with five break points being created in three consecutive return games. The three-time grand slam champion managed to convert two of them with some sensational returning to create a double break lead. Despite conceding his first break point of the match, Murray ground out an erratic Mannarino with the match finishing on a missed drop shot from the Frenchman as the Brit made the second round.
Andy Murray [WC] v Carlos Alcaraz [30] H2H & Match Fundamentals
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Andy Murray [WC] v Carlos Alcaraz [30] |
H2H: First Meeting |
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ATP Indian Wells |
Indian Wells, USA |
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Hard (O) |
Prize Money: $29,045 |
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Second on Stadium 2, not before 12:30pm (8:30pm BST) |
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Murray now faces a big test in 18 year-old big hitter Carlos Alcaraz, who reached the quarter-finals at the US Open.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2021 – Hard)
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H2H: |
Andy Murray (WR 121) |
Carlos Alcaraz (WR 38) |
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Tournament Previous Best |
Final (2009) |
N/A |
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1st Serve % |
56.5 |
63.4 |
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Service Games Won % |
85.6 |
77.4 |
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Break Points Saved % |
65.8 |
58.6 |
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2nd Serve Return Points Won % |
47.4 |
55 |
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Break Points Converted % |
44.2 |
44 |
Murray has better statistics on serve especially on the big points but Murray will need to increase his level of play on second serve return if he wants to have a chance of scoring a big win.
Playing styles and prediction
Alcaraz already had a breakthrough season heading into the US hard court season but the Spaniard took it to a whole new level at the US Open when he reached the quarter-finals beating the likes of Cameron Norrie and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Alcaraz’s big-hitting matched with exceptional movement has seen him rise up the rankings and become a nightmare opponent for anybody.
The slower court conditions should help Murray’s defensive game and ability to create all sorts of angles for Alcaraz to work with. The big thing will be whether Murray can deal with Alcaraz’s consistent big hitting and how the Brit will deal in the pressure moments. It’s been a recurring theme against big players that Murray has failed to play well on the big points and he will need to do so if he wants to reach the last 32 in California. Despite the conditions Alcaraz will enter as favourite but it should be another entertaining Murray match.
Prediction: Alcaraz in three sets.
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