(expired)Murray Tops Grand Slam Betting For First Time

Andy Murray has been cut to joint favourite for next week’s Australian Open – the first time the Scot has headed the betting for a Grand Slam title, reports bookie Paddy Power.

At 5/2, along with Roger Federer, the patriotic punt on Murray-mania has cut the British number one’s odds to land his first major from a pre-Christmas 11/2. It is also the first time a British player has been favourite for one of the four Grand Slam tournaments in the modern era of the game.

Such has been the bandwagon that Murray’s odds to win Wimbledon this year have also been cut from 8/1 to 4/1 whilst it’s just 13/10 he finishes the year with one major to his name. Whilst it looks to be a year of success for the Scot, some supporters are really getting patriotic with their punts with Paddy Power even taking bets on Murray winning all four Grand Slam titles this year at a somewhat unlikely 100/1.

Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “A Murray Grand Slam win, especially at Wimbledon, would cost bookies millions and will be just the tonic for the patriotic public in these times of doom and gloom.”

“Certainly the betting on the Australian Open has started early this year – and punters are clearly looking to make a mint on Murray.”

Qatar Crazy

Arguably the best player in the world on current form, Murray’s consistent victories over Federer and Nadal over the last three months saw some bumper betting on the Scot in last week’s Qatar Open. In a tournament that attracted all the major names, more than 40% of the outright bets were on Murray. The recent Murray mania also saw a growth in the number of bets on the tournament of more than 130%.How Many Grand Slams Will Murray Win in ‘09?

4/5        None

13/10    One

13/2      Two

28/1      Three

100/1    Four

Will Murray Win A Grand Slam This Year?

10/11    Yes

4/5        No

Australian Open

5/2        Federer

5/2        Murray

7/2        Nadal

11/2      Djokovic

14/1      Tsonga

33/1      Gulbis

40/1      Bar

Wimbledon

7/4        Nadal

15/8      Federer

4/1        Murray

6/1        Djokovic

14/1      Tsonga

33/1      Roddick

40/1      Bar

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