Andy Murray vs Nikoloz Basilashvili Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Wimbledon Championships

Prediction published on 27/06/2021, 18:01  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 27/06/2021 at 19:21 in Tennis Predictions

There have been times when it looked as if Andy Murray might never play at Wimbledon again. His hip operations have resurrected his career and he takes on  24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of the 2021 tournament. Winning a third title isn't likely as he's barely played this year. Just being back on court and being competitive is his target. Even he isn't sure that his body will hold up, especially with matches being played over the best of five sets. He's been practicing with top players such as Roger Federer but taking on a seed on Centre Court is a lot different. Murray has only played five matches on the ATP Tour this year, winning two of them. He beat Benoit Paire in the cinch Championships but then lost to eventual winner Matteo Berrettini in round two. He's still not ranked in the top 100 being 119th at the start of this tournament.

Nikoloz Basilashvili is the world number 28 but with withdrawals is up to 24th in the seedings. He's had a good year with titles won in Doha (where he beat Roger Federer and Roberto Bautista Agut) and Munich. At the start of this year he was ranked 40th. He is still below his highest ranking of 17th achieved in 2019. Basilashvili has won 19 of his 35 matches played this year. Two grass court tournaments have been played including a semi-final in Halle. He reached the third round at Wimbledon in 2015 and this is his first match against Andy Murray. The heart wants Murray to win this match but the head says back Basilashvili.