French Open preview and odds: Ivo Karlovic vs Andy Murray

Published on: 26/05/2016

French Open preview and odds: Ivo Karlovic vs Andy Murray

May 27, 2016 - Roland Garros, Third Round

After playing 10 sets in the first two rounds, Andy Murray will be hoping for an easier time in Round Three, when he goes up against the big-serving veteran Ivo Karlovic.

Murray making hard work of French Open challenge

Andy Murray had dig deep to come through both of his opening matches and has been rewarded with a third-round match against a player who has never beaten him in six previous meetings.

The World No. 2 may have been left a little jaded after his exploits in Madrid and Rome where he faced Novak Djokovic in both finals, beating him in the latter.

Murray is aiming to reach his first ever final at Roland Garros having reached the semi-final stage on three previous occasions. In total, just three of the 29-year-old`s 36 ATP titles have come on clay.

The Scot`s Opponent, Ivo Karlovic may be 37 years old but he is still competing at the very highest level and is currently ranked at number 29 in the world, just 14 places behind his 2008 peak.

The big server has been knocked out in the first round in four of the last five clay events he has entered, the exception being the Istanbul Open where he reached the semi-finals before falling to Grigor Dimitrov.

The Croatian`s one and only title on clay came in Houston back in 2007. He has only reached the third round of the French Open on one previous occasion and has never progressed beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam event.

Betting predictions

Murray is facing Karlovic on clay for the first ever time and could find himself in another tough battle. However, he should have the stamina to prevail against the ageing Croatian.

You can back Murray to win 3-1 at 11/4 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 26/05/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (26/05/2016 14:09:15) but are subject to change.