Day 8 Mens – Gasquet can push Murray all the way
Published:Andy Murray knows he will have to be at his best to keep his Wimbledon dream alive against Richard Gasquet.
The Scot faces the world No.13 on Centre Court this Monday hoping to progress rather more comfortably than the last time they met at Wimbledon.
Murray needed five sets to see off the Frenchman in 2008 and was two sets down at one point. However, he eventually came back to win 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, 6-4.
And that experience has taught Murray a valuable lesson as he continues his quest for a maiden Grand Slam victory.
Speaking to BBC 5Live, he said: “It gets harder with every single round. I have a very tough match against Gasquet, a guy who I have had a couple of close matches against in the past so I expect a really tough one.
“Obviously I want it to go in my favour, that’s what I plan on doing, but you need to go out and have a game plan and execute it well to beat guys like Gasquet.
“He beat Federer a couple of months ago in Rome and he has had the best French Open that he has had.
“The two times I have played him in grand slams I have found myself two sets and a break down both times so I expect a very tough game.”
Murray has faced Gasquet on four previous occasions with both players winning a brace each, so this will be no walk over for Murray – Gasquet also made the quarter-finals at the French Open earlier this year and has the game to beat Murray.
However, Murray is growing in confidence as the tournament progresses and was brilliant at times in his last round win against Ivan Ljubicic.
Backing Murray to progress at 2/7 looks well worth a bet.
Meanwhile, putting some cash on Murray to drop a set and win 3-1 may also be worth backing at 5/2 – especially considering Murray has never beaten Gasquet in straight sets.
