2022 Australian Open 1R: [21] Nikoloz Basilashvili vs [WC] Andy Murray

[threehandedbackhand]

Quite a match in the opening round.

H2H
Basilashvili 0-2 Murray

Vegas odds
(as of 13 January)

Sources:
atptour.com
oddsportal.com

What's your prediction?

 

[Checkmate]

Basillashvilli - "Why always me? "

 

[Jonesy]

Murray is a bad match up for Bash. Even in his hip man form.

 

[Gazelle]

They only just played.

 

[uscwang]

Kudos to Murray. He is probably losing money by staying on tour.

 

[Agassi-Fan]

I watched this match and I was really thinking Basillashvilli was going to win easily. He was really over hitting in the first set, and kept looking at his racket as if he was angry it was losing tension with the roof being closed. On the other side, Murray has been practicing for over a month with his larger racket and I think that actually helped him.

Murray said Basillashvilli hits some of the hardest shots he has ever seen. Guy is just a beast....just needs to have a plan-B for when things start to come off the rails.

 

[Centrius]

Murray in easy straights.

 

[Rosstour]

I say Bash in 5 but I'm really hoping for an easy Murray win (and a long-shot title for the Muzziah)

 

[onefineday]

Murray in five. Six hours.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

MONNN

 

[yokied]

This matchup is entirely on Basherhashbillie’s racquet and should be a pretty easy win. Murray is clinging on.

Basherhashbillie was dominating in Sydney when he didn’t bash. When played a little steadier, didn’t panic early in rallies going for low percentage winners and played with variety to move Murray in all four directions, especially forward.

 

[taylor15]

This matchup is entirely on Basherhashbillie’s racquet and should be a pretty easy win. Murray is clinging on.

Basherhashbillie was dominating in Sydney when he didn’t bash. When played a little steadier, didn’t panic early in rallies going for low percentage winners and played with variety to move Murray in all four directions, especially forward.

Easy win? He’s 0-2 against him

 

[Max G.]

I think Basilashvili takes this one. Murray through to the final this week, and won’t fully recover in time.

 

[Mainad]

This matchup is entirely on Basherhashbillie’s racquet and should be a pretty easy win. Murray is clinging on.

Basherhashbillie was dominating in Sydney when he didn’t bash. When played a little steadier, didn’t panic early in rallies going for low percentage winners and played with variety to move Murray in all four directions, especially forward.

Never ceases to amuse me how often Murray's opponents are guaranteed an easy win against him by some on here.

 

[Legend of Borg]

Muzzy to beat Bashervili in straights.

Second week GS appearance since 2017?

 

[Larry Duff]

Murray will probably come close to killing himself in the final today so that won't help.

 

[Blahovic]

This matchup is entirely on Basherhashbillie’s racquet and should be a pretty easy win. Murray is clinging on.

Basherhashbillie was dominating in Sydney when he didn’t bash. When played a little steadier, didn’t panic early in rallies going for low percentage winners and played with variety to move Murray in all four directions, especially forward.

So basically if Basilashvili plays like a completely different player it should be an easy win.

Basilashvili has played twice against half-crippled Murray and lost both times. It's not going to be easy unless Murray is exhausted by his Sydney run. A player like Basilashvili is always going to miss a lot of shots and a player like Murray is always going to find a way to win a lot of points from that.

 

[threehandedbackhand]

 

[Rebel-I.N.S]

I think today’s match only being 1 hour and 32 minutes helps Murray quite a bit.

He also seems to play better against players he’s faced previously.

 

[Forgive Me Father]

This matchup is entirely on Basherhashbillie’s racquet and should be a pretty easy win. Murray is clinging on.

Basherhashbillie was dominating in Sydney when he didn’t bash. When played a little steadier, didn’t panic early in rallies going for low percentage winners and played with variety to move Murray in all four directions, especially forward.

Rubbish.

Whenever they engage in neutral rallies, Murray feels more comfortable due to superior technique...

Basilashvili absolutely has to push the envelope, and was winning when he hit winners.

 

[Bud]

I watched this match and I was really thinking Basillashvilli was going to win easily. He was really over hitting in the first set, and kept looking at his racket as if he was angry it was losing tension with the roof being closed. On the other side, Murray has been practicing for over a month with his larger racket and I think that actually helped him.

Murray said Basillashvilli hits some of the hardest shots he has ever seen. Guy is just a beast....just needs to have a plan-B for when things start to come off the rails.

He has the fastest average BH and FH on the tour

 

[D.Nalby12]

Good chance Murray is going home in first round. Basil will hit him off the court. At least this will going to be a tight 4/5 setter..

 

[mr tonyz]

My local broadcast gets wiped out during match point for a live press conference on Corona. lol.

Edit wrong thread. Ooops!

 

[Larry Duff]

My local broadcast gets wiped out during match point for a live press conference on Corona. lol.

Edit wrong thread. Ooops!

I wondered, Murray is way more important than anything else.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

I was so confused but now I get it: you guys were talking bout a match they had in Sydney! I thought for sure this match hasn't happened yet!

Go Basilashvili!!!!!

 

[Jezza94]

Nice to see Andy back playing in Australia after several years away.

I thought 2019 was the end of him when he announced his “retirement” and lost bravely to Bautista Agut.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Muzza will march on!

 

[snr]

Nice to see Andy back playing in Australia after several years away.

I thought 2019 was the end of him when he announced his “retirement” and lost bravely to Bautista Agut.

I had always felt like it was everyone that was announcing his retirement for him lol.. and that he was still figuring things out.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Come on Basilashvili! At least a few of us are rooting for you!!! (;

 

[mightyjeditribble]

I say Bash in 5 but I'm really hoping for an easy Murray win (and a long-shot title for the Muzziah)

That would be epic, but it's a long, long, looong shot ...

 

[Kawasaki Kanagawa]

Murray goes down in 5. Epic battle, blah, blah, blah, such a warrior, bad luck with the draw, will get wild card for next tournament.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Murray goes down in 5. Epic battle, blah, blah, blah, such a warrior, bad luck with the draw, will get wild card for next tournament.

I think he justified a few more wildcards with his run in Sydney anyway ... And he may not need wildcards for too much longer if he gets some more wins and the COVID protections are phased out in the rankings.

Basilashvili will be dangerous but I think Murray can beat him again here.

 

[MurraysMetalHip]

Have to go with Murray, given Basher’s recent brush with death thanks to them pesky vaccinations.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

The countdown to 4am is on.

In 5 4 3 2

Andy Murray, real name, real gimmicks.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

 

[threehandedbackhand]

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Prepared for a long one.

First rally about 40 shots. Give or take.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Basil giving us a few errors for the break point.

And there is another for the break. Yoooo.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Pummeling some forehands now. Murray with the first ace in response. Get in.

Back to back aces.

 

[Kralingen]

Basher is getting pummeled by the Muzzah.

dark horse to win it all?

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Basher is getting pummeled by the Muzzah.

dark horse to win it all?

''Dark horse to get his ass whipped.''

 

[soft_manatee]

just another day on the farm for #murraygoat

 

[Nostradamus]

Quite a match in the opening round.

H2H
Basilashvili 0-2 Murray

Vegas odds
(as of 13 January)

Sources:
atptour.com
oddsportal.com

What's your prediction?

wow,, Murray kicking butt . Bashilashivili must be super mad , he has to play murray in 1st round

 

[Bottle Rocket]

Where are you folks watching this? ESPN not showing it here as was expected.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Loves those sneaky returns.

Where are you folks watching this? ESPN not showing it here as was expected.

On TV here. Eurosport.

 

[Halba]

I think Murray can contend for slams again with this kind of serve and form. Especially aus open or Wimbledon.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

He has a good record against wild cards.

Murray is not your average wild card, Devon.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Now is the time for Murray to find 3 successive aces.

Basil is starting to peak.

 

[Kralingen]

Basilashvili just played one of the best return games of his entire career there. Absolutely smacking shots off both wings. I’d be shocked if he hit a single one more than 2 feet from the line as well.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

And there is the break.