2017 Tennis Specials: Andy Murray Evens to end the year as number one
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It must be a pretty sweet feeling to be Andy Murray right now. The Brit star enjoyed his best ever season on the ATP Tour, claimed a second Wimbledon title, bagged a second Olympic gold medal, a third SPOTY victory and at long last, the number one spot in the rankings.
So, the Scot’s next challenge is to learn to deal with being the man to beat.
After a slow start to 2016, it all came together from May onwards with the 29-year-old racking up a 62-4 run from the Rome Masters.
And after building a stunning 25-match streak to end the year with five successive titles and oust Novak Djokovic as world number one at the ATP World Tour Finals, the bookies have seen fit to price Murray up as favourite to still be kingpin when next year comes to a close.
The Serbian is 11/10 to reclaim top spot this time next year, with Milos Roanic next up at 16/1 – showcasing the sheer dominance Murray and Djokovic enjoy right now.
It’s 2/1 though that Murray remains on top of the rankings for 2017’s duration.
Over in the WTA, they too saw a change at the top, with Angelique Kerber usurping Serena Williams.
The great American will turn 36 next year, but that hasn’t stopped the bookies pricing her up as 7/4 favourite to regain top place at the end of the season.
Germany’s Kerber is next in the betting at 3/1, with Simona Halep 7/1 and Garbine Muguruza 10/1 to claim number one after winning her first Slam at the French Open this year.
Our tennis traders haven’t stopped there though, with a plethora of other specials to get involved in.
Big John Isner is 5/4 favourite to serve the most aces on next year’s ATP Tour, ahead of Ivo Karlovic at 2/1.
But Isner is only second in the betting to be top ranking American, with that honour going to the ever-improving Jack Sock at 6/4.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils and Lucas Pouille look set for a three-man battle to be the top Frenchman, while Rafael Nadal is 10/11 favourite to be the highest ranking Spaniard.
But next year looks set to be all about two men, and one in particular as Murray gets set to discover how he handles being the main man having finally risen to the very top.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
