Kind draw allows Andy Murray a safe passage to Wimbledon semis

Never before has Andy Murray headed to Wimbledon as such a strong contender for victory.

The Scot is the current world number 2 and 3/1 second favourite for SW19 glory, and if Britain’s top tennis star does win this summer, Ladbrokes are offering money back on every losing player.

Though he’s expected to go far in south-west London, there’s plenty of value to be hard when debating his stage of elimination.

Murray has never failed to reach at least the third round, and his draw should see him ease through the early matches.

Murray is priced between 14/1 and 16/1 to exit the tournament before the quarter-final stage, but his favourable draw makes an early departure unlikely.

Some may be tempted at a quarter-final exit, which can be backed at 6/1.

Murray could end up facing a stern test in Jo-Wilfreid Tsonga in the last eight, but closer inspection reveals the Frenchman has lost his last seven contests with the Scotsman.

Should Murray prevail and avoid any slip-ups, then 9/4 on a semi-final exit could appeal to many.

For three years in succession between 2009 and 2011 Murray saw his Wimbledon hopes dashed in the last-four, and this year he is likely to face the winner of a probable quarter-final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Murray beat Nadal last time they met, but that was his first win in six meetings against the popular Spaniard.

Federer may provide the better last-four opponent, having lost to Murray in three of their last four meetings – including in the Australian Open semi-final earlier this year.

Ladbrokes are 3/1 that Murray creates a repeat of last year’s nation-gripping heroics and reaches the final.

Should he see off Federer, Nadal or whoever he may face in the semi-final,Murray is likely to come up against long-time friend and on-court rival Novak Djokovic.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing