WAWRINKA STORMS BACK, MURRAY IN TROUBLE, IS AN UPSET ON THE CARDS AT THE US OPEN
You could argue Murray got lucky winning the first set. The Brit was down 2-5 before he clawed his way back into the set and levelled it at 5-5.
The Swiss came out swinging from both wings, playing out-of-his-mind tennis. Murray looked worried. Wawrinka looked for the world to see to take a stranglehold on the match.
Once Murray levelled the match he seemed to be the player in control and sure enough, he asserted himself in the tiebreak, closing the first set 7-3.
Going into the second set Murray’s stock soared, upwards of 1/50 at the William Hill trading floor. His price shortened further when he took a commanding 3-0 lead in the second set.
At this point, Wawrinka looked to be on his way out, thrown as he was so completely off his game.
All of a sudden, Murray suffered a lapse in concentration and arguably, that was all the opportunity Wawrinka needed to start turning the tide his way and work his way back into the set and match.
Wawrinka took the second set in the tiebreak on the back of some impressive ball striking.
The match now level at 1-1 and the third set looming, William Hill Live-In-Play action lists Murray still the favourite at 3/10 and Wawrinka at 12/5.
Is Murray going to pull ahead in the third set and win the match in four? I don’t know for certain, but what I do know is that Wawrinka is on a roll right now and he looks like he might be in the mood to steamroll Murray in this match.
That Murray is yammering away at his box and muttering to himself in between points I take to be a not so encouraging sign. Murray fans should be starting to get worried about now. Things are not looking good for Murray; certainly, not as good as they did at the start of the match.
Those that know Wawrinka know he is a bit streaky. Huge talent, but has the consistency of a top 30 player. That is why he starts the third set at the disadvantaged despite clearly having the momentum on his side.
This match is far from decided and if Wawrinka pulls off the upset, it will be arguably, the biggest win of his career at a major.