Murray eases past Brown for third round spot – Fognini next
Published:
Andy Murray wasted little time in progressing to the third round at Wimbledon, on what was a great day for British contenders.
The world number one saw off Dustin Brown 6-3 6-2 6-2, and will face Fabio Fognini next.
We make the Scot 1/16 favourite to win, though the head-to-head record with his Italian opponent is level at 3-3.
However, the duo have yet to meet on grass, and so far Murray has shown little cause for concern that he’s about to suffer an early exit.
Meanwhile, Aljaz Bedene, Johanna Konta and Heather Watson are also through, and it’s the first time since 1997 that four British players have got this far.
Bedene, who prevailed in a first round five set epic versus Ivo Karlovic on Monday, defeated Damir Dzumhur in four sets to secure his first appearance in round three at SW19.
His reward is a clash with the vastly experienced Gilles Muller. It’s a very winnable tie for the Brit however, and 7/4 says he reaches the fourth round of a Slam for the first time.
Konta – 7/1 third favourite to become Britain’s first Wimbledon Ladies singles champion in 40 years – came through an enthralling clash with the up-and-coming Donna Vekic 7-4 6-4 10-8 after three hours in 27c heat.
Konta will now face Greek competitor Maria Sakkari as 1/6 favourite for a place in round four.
Her hopes have been further boosted by Petra Kvitova’s defeat to Madison Brengle.
The two-time Wimbledon champion, making her first Slam appearance since being attacked in her home last Winter, was a potential fourth round opponent.
Konta may have been first on Centre Court with a 1pm start time on Wednesday, but by that point Watson was already safely through in far more routine circumstances.
The Guernsey ace produced a sensational first set to bagel Anastasija Sevastova in just 19 minutes, before taking the second set 6/4.
If Watson is to get any further however, she’ll have to be on very best form to see off Victoria Azarenka.
The Belarussian is making her Slam comeback since the birth of her son, but boasts an incredible record against the Brit.
In four meetings, Azarenka has won the lot in straight sets, dropping just 11 games.
The two-time US Open champion goes into the contest as 4/9 favourite, but Watson is certainly in the picture at 7/4.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
