Haase can boast previous when it comes to upsetting Murray
Published:It’s 2008 and Andy Murray is preparing for a first round clash with 21-year-old Dutchman Robin Haase in Rotterdam.
The odds are stacked heavily in Murray’s favour with the Scot available at 2/13 and Haase available at 4/1, but punters were left rueing the decision to back the Scot as Haase romped home in straight sets.
Today sees the courts of Flushing Meadows host the second meeting between the two players and Murray is an even shorter chance at 1/12 with Haase available at 6/1.
Murray – as is so often the case – took a while to settle in his opening round victory against Somdev Devvarman and allowed his opponent a glimmer of hope. However, that glimmer soon dimmed and the Scot asserted his superiority to coast through 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 6-3.
The world No.4 will have a much harder time of things against Haase though, but feels he is prepared for whatever is thrown at him.
He said: ““I have known Robin since I was 12 or 13, when I was that age the British team used to go over to Holland to play against their best kids.
“He is the same now as he was back then. He always hits the ball big and is unpredictable. He can be quite inconsistent so that is what I will have to play on.”
Haase hits the ball much harder than Murray’s first round opponent and a world ranking of 41 is doing him something of a disservice. The last time these players met – back in 2008 – the Dutchman came out on top in straight sets.
Haase was also impressive in his opening round smashing of Portugal’s Rui Machado dropping just eight games, and there is no doubt the Dutchman comes in to this second round tie in strong spirits.
However, Murray is in a different class to the Portuguese and a far superior player to the one who lost in 2008.
Backing Murray to win in four sets at 5/2 looks like the best way of making some cash out of this clash.
