Betting Week in Review 13/6/2022 – Murray Losses in Stuttgart Open Final
Betting Week in Review 13/6/2022 – A good weekend for bookmakers with Britain’s Andy Murray losing in the Stuttgart Open final against Italian Matteo Berrettini. In football, England is rooted at the bottom of their Nations League group after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Italy.
Murray Losses in Stuttgart © Pixabay.
Murray beaten by Berrettini in Stuttgart Open final
Andy Murray’s hopes of a first singles title on grass for six years were ended yesterday when Matteo Berrettini beat the Brit in the Stuttgart Open final. Murray suffered an abdominal injury in the 6-4 5-7 6-3 loss, a blow with Wimbledon on the horizon.
Murray had been in great form on his way to the final, not dropping a set in the four games on the road to the clash with Berrettini. He beat Australian Christopher O’Connell 2-0 (41/100), Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan 2-0 (33/50), Stefanos Tsitsipasy from Greece 2-0 (131/100) and Australian Nick Kyrgios 2-0 (117/100).
The first time the Scot wasn’t favourite was during the final; bookies had the 35-year-old at 23/25, with his Italian opponent priced at 87/100.
Murray, whose last singles title was at Wimbledon in 2016, was broken in his second service. Although he had several great chances to get on level terms, the powerful serve of Berrettini caused the three-time Grand Slam winner problems.
Murray fought bravely, surviving three break points to prevent going 5-4 behind in the second before a forehand from the Italian went long to give the Brit the second set and tie the game.
However, it soon became evident by the third that Murray was struggling and needed the physio to treat his left hip. The delay didn’t unsettle Berrettini, who won to love. The physio was called on again in the seventh game, and it was starting to look like Murray would retire, but he played on, allowing the Italian number 10 to break serve, and he won the third 6-3.
Although it looked like Murray was suffering from a hip problem, a worrying sign after Murray had a hip resurfacing operation in 2019, the Brit later clarified it was an abdominal problem.
“I got some pain in my ab when I was serving. Not something I’ve had before,” Murray said. “I’ll need to get it checked when I get home.”
Although Murray’s defeat in his 70th career final was a disappointment, there were plenty of positives for the veteran, and as long as the injury isn’t severe, he should feature at Queen’s this week, where he is a five-time winner. Wimbledon also starts in two weeks, and due to Murray reaching this final, he will be ranked in the top 50 seeds for the first time in four years.
The bookies feel Murray is very much an outsider to repeat his Wimbledon heroics, pricing the Scot between 25/1 – 33/1 depending on the operator. Not surprisingly, Novak Djokovic is the heavy favourite at 5/6, Carlos Alcaraz is 11/2 and Rafael Nadal at 13/2.
England Bottom of Nations Group After Italian Stalemate
England are still seeking their first win in this year’s Nations League after a dull goalless draw against Italy at the Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton on Saturday.
Gareth Southgate played an experimental side in front of several thousand schoolchildren, who were permitted to attend despite a ban on supporters due to crowd trouble at the finals of the Euros, a game in which England lost on penalties to the same opponents.
The Italians were dumped out of the World Cup after a shock defeat by North Macedonia in March. However, former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has made wholesale changes to the National side, and only two players started this fixture that played in the Euros final at Wembley.
The Italians are unbeaten in the Nations League this tournament. They beat Hungary and showed a lot of promise in a 1-1 draw with Germany.
Despite an unfamiliar line-up, Italy started well and almost took the lead in the opening moments, Davide Frattesi had a great chance, but his low effort went the wrong side of the post. Sandro Tonali also went close, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, a replacement for Jordan Pickford, produced a great save and was England’s best player on the day.
England also had chances. Mason Mount’s powerful shot in the first half hit the crossbar, and Raheem Sterling should have done better from a Reece James delivery. Tammy Abraham, who has been in fine form at Jose Mourinho’s Roma, almost scored but was denied by a last-ditch tackle by Manuel Locatelli.
The draw means Italy top the group with five points. The Germans, who drew 1-1 with England in their last match, are second on four points. Hungary are in third place, and they take on England on Tuesday. The Hungarians beat England 1-0 in the first game, and the Three Lions need a win to avoid going into the summer break bottom of the table.
After Tuesday’s game with Hungary, England does not play again until September. They will play Italy on Friday 23rd September and Germany at Wembley three days later on the Monday.
