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 Shanghai 2023 | Murray looking to build on positive Beijing performance against Safiullin

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Andy Murray v Roman Safiullin
  • H2H: Murray leads 1-0
SHANGHAI, CHINA – Andy Murray is looking to build on a positive opening round performance in Beijing when he takes on Roman Safiullin in Shanghai.

 

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H2H & Match Fundamentals

Andy Murray v Roman Safiullin H2H: Murray leads 1-0
ATP Shanghai 2023 Shanghai, China
Hard (O) Prize Money: $18,660
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After an encouraging performance against Alex De Minaur in Beijing, where he lost in a last set tiebreak, Andy Murray will now look for results when he takes on Roman Safiullin in Shanghai.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023)

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H2H: Andy Murray (WR 40) Roman Safiullin (WR 41)
Tournament Previous Best Champion (2010, 2011, 2016) N/A
1st Serve % 61.5 63.6
Service Games Won % 81.5 82.9
Break Points Saved % 62.4 62.3
2nd Serve Return Points Won % 50.1 50.9
Break Points Converted % 31.9 43.3

Murray will be looking to improve his efficiency on return against a confident and in-form opponent like Safiullin.

 

 

Playing styles and prediction

Safiullin had been struggling for form after reaching his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon but a run to the final in Chengdu has changed that as he continues his march up the rankings. Now Safiullin will look to continue the momentum as one of his goals for the end of the season will be to be seeded for January’s Australian Open.

Murray will look to be smart and aggressive on return as he will look to use variety of spin and power in order to force errors from Safiullin. Meanwhile Safiullin will look to continue his confident serving and returning as he looks to create shorter balls from Murray in order to be aggressive and hit winners. This will be a tough test for Murray against a confident player like Safiullin but if Murray can produce a similar performance to the one in Beijing then he should be too strong in this opening round match.

Prediction: Murray in three sets.

 

 

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