Madrid Open 2022: Novak Djokovic vs Andy Murray preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match details
Fixture: (1) Novak Djokovic vs (WC) Andy Murray.
Date: 5 May 2022.
Tournament: Madrid Open 2022.
Round: Third round (Round of 16).
Venue: Madrid, Spain.
Category: ATP Masters 1000.
Surface: Clay.
Prize money: €6,744,165.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Novak Djokovic vs Andy Murray preview
Long-time rivals Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are set to clash in a blockbuster third-round contest at the 2022 Madrid Open on Thursday.
Djokovic arrived in Madrid on the heels of a runner-up finish at the Serbia Open. He made it to the final in Belgrade after defeating Laslo Djere, Miomir Kecmanovic and Karen Khachanov in three sets. He lost to World No. 8 Andrey Rublev in the title round in three sets as well.
After a first-round bye, the World No. 1 commenced his quest for a fourth title in Madrid with a comfortable win over Gael Monfils. His 6-3, 6-2 win marked his 18th successive victory over the Frenchman, a record on the ATP tour.
Friends first, opponents second 🙌
The moment @DjokerNole defeated Monfils at the #MMOPEN! https://t.co/WpKAWW1DUM
Andy Murray, meanwhile, initially planned to sit out the claycourt season, but accepted a late wildcard into the Madrid Open. He kicked off his campaign with a 6-3, 6-4 win over 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem.
Amazing, Andy 🙌
@andy_murray battles past Denis Shapovalov 6-1 3-6 6-2 to book a date with Novak Djokovic in round 3 at Madrid.
#MMOPEN https://t.co/L7LGgk6oBo
Murray then overcame a second-set stumble to defeat Denis Shapovalov 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 in the second round. This was the first time since the Sydney Tennis Classic in January that the Brit managed to win two consecutive matches.
Novak Djokovic vs Andy Murray head-to-head
Djokovic leads Murray 25-11 in the head-to-head. The Serb leads 5-1 on clay and has won both of their previous matches in Madrid. This will be their first encounter in five years. Djokovic won their last meeting in the final of the 2017 Qatar Open in three sets.
Novak Djokovic vs Andy Murray odds
(All odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Novak Djokovic vs Andy Murray prediction
Djokovic seems to be getting better with every match and while Murray has done well in Madrid so far, he heads into this encounter as the underdog. The Brit has blown hot and cold since his return to the tour a couple of years ago. At his best, he was more than capable of beating Djokovic, but the Brit is now a shadow of the player who lifted three Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic's serve and forehand worked quite well in his match against Monfils. He committed very few errors and was able to control the points for the most part, which was not the case at the Serbia Open.
Murray also seems to have improved on a few accounts. He looks fitter than he did earlier in the season and his movement appears to be top-notch.
Murray had some decent serving numbers in his previous match against Shapovalov, but he'll need to do a lot better against a returner of Djokovic's caliber.
Even at his best, Murray struggled to go toe-to-toe with Djokovic on clay, possibly due to the fact that he lacked the weapons to hit through the Serb on the surface. With the World No. 1 inching closer to peak form with every match, it'll be difficult for Murray to reign him in.
Pick: Novak Djokovic to win in straight sets.