Andy Murray vs Taro Daniel Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Australian Open

Prediction published on 18/01/2022, 10:37  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 18/01/2022 at 14:22 in Tennis Predictions

It was in May 2018 when Andy Murray was last in the top 100. A win over Taro Daniel will see his world ranking back in double figures. Murray began this week at 113rd, his run to the final of the Sydney International saw him climb 22 places. After again beating Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of this tournament, he's now 101st in the live rankings and could get as high as 90th if beating Daniel. It's a highly promising return to form for the British number three, one he might not have expected to happen after his injuries. Murray has won five of his last six matches (the only loss being to Aslan Karatsev) with four  of them being against opponents ranked in the top 50.

Taro Daniel is the world number 120 but up a place in the live rankings. The Japanese player was as high as 64th four years ago but was last in the top 100 in April 2019. He first played a Grand Slam tournament eight years ago but he's never made it past the second round of one. Before this tournament, his last 12 Grand Slam events had seen him only reach the second round at the 2019 Australian Open. He had to qualify to get into the main draw this year. Daniel had to play three matches and won all of them without dropping a set. In the first round, he beat Tomas Barrios Vera in straight sets. This is second tournament of the year. The other was in Adelaide where he beat Lorenzo Musetti before losing to Tommy Paul in three sets. Murray is in probably the best form since he returned to the circuit. Go for him to win this to set up a third round match against either Steve Johnson or 11th seeded Jannik Sinner. A side bet on a tie break could make a profit.