Andy Murray vs Sebastian Korda Prediction & Betting Tips - Adelaide International

Prediction published on 02/01/2022, 06:43  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 02/01/2023 at 08:12 in Tennis Predictions

Sebastian Korda takes on Andy Murray in the first round of the Adelaide International. The winner of this match will face either fourth seeded Andrey Rublev or Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round. Korda began this tournament ranked 33rd so will be out to improve his ranking and be seeded for the Australian Open. The American rose eight places in the world rankings last year but was as high as 30th in May 2022. Korda will want to carry on the form he showed in the last quarter of 2022. He reached the final in both Gijon and Antwerp last October. In the Gijon tournament, he beat Andy Murray in the quarter finals. That's the only meeting between this pair. Korda is making his first appearance in Adelaide but did reach the last 32 of the Australian Open last year.

Andy Murray begins 2023 ranked 49th in the world. Like Korda, he'll have the aim of moving up the rankings and get back into the top 32. That's probably unlikely for the Australian Open but being seeded again will make life a little bit easier for him as it'll mean he will avoid the top players early on in tournaments. Last year saw Murray rise 84 places in the rankings and was as high as 43rd in May. The year didn't end well though with three of his last four matches being lost, including that defeat to Korda. His final match of 2022 saw him beaten by Gilles Simon (ranked 188th at the time) in the Paris Masters. He did play in the recent Best of British tournament beating Jack Draper but losing to Dan Evans. Last year saw him reach the final of a tournament held in Sydney. This looks a tough opener for the new year and Korda can edge a victory.