2011 Mutua Madrid Open: Andy Murray vs. Thomaz Bellucci – Preview
World number four, Andy Murray of Great Britain will encounter the 36th ranked Brazilian, Thomaz Bellucci in the third round of Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday. The contest is due to be played at the Park Manzanares in
Madrid, Spain and a stiff competition is expected among the two youngsters, as they battle it out to get a place in the quarter-final draws of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 1000 tournament.
23-year-old Murray had to toil a bit in his second round matchup against the Frenchman, Gilles Simon, beating him in a tight three-setter, 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, to enter the last 16 competitors of the event. The Brazilian sensation booked
his date with Murray in the third round as his opponent, Florian Mayer of Germany forfeited the contest in his favour in the previous round of Mutua Madrid Open.
It is the first time that the two men are facing each other and less can be predicted about their performances in the contest. Murray had returned from a layoff he took from professional tennis after he suffered a defeat at the
hands of the world number two, Novak Djokovic, in the final of the Australian Open. His return to the professional tennis arena was not convincing at all, as he got defeated by Marcos Baghdatis in the opening round at Rotterdam. Murray had to sideline from
the game once again due to his wrist injury, missing the Dubai International Championships. He took part in the ATP event at Indian Wells and got disposed off in the second round at the hands of Donald Young. Murray’s poor form in the season continued, causing
early ejection from Miami as well.
The Briton finally reached the semi-final of the Monte-Carlo Rolex masters but suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the world number one Rafael Nadal. Murray received a bye to get a direct access to the second round of
Mutua Madrid Open and had to struggle a bit in overcoming Simon to meet Bellucci in the third round. It will be interesting to see how Murray will tune up his game to overcome the hard-hitting Brazilian to get a quarter-final berth.
Bellucci has not been in the greatest of form this season as well and just managed to reach the semi-final of Abierto Mexicano Telcel by beating a top-10 player, Fernando Verdasco, for the first time in his career. Winner of two
ATP titles, Bellucci is straining hard to make his place among the top ranked tennis players in the world. The Brazilian is well known for his accurate serve and power full ground strokes.
The two contestants have been in ordinary form throughout the running year and will be interesting to see how they will compete against each other. Although Murray does not appear to be in his true touch these days, he is still
one of the top ranked players in the world. The Briton’s number one is one of the most devastating opponents in the game tennis and is capable of beating even the best player in the game.
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