Murray on drift as Federer attracts support

Sports betting

ANDY Murray is safely through to the second round of the US Open following his straight-sets victory over Ernests Gulbis (see page 35), but the bookies have pushed him out to 100-30 to win his first Grand Slam title.

Murray was around the 11-4 mark when the tournament started, but has drifted as support has come for Roger Federer.

The Swiss, who started his campaign at Flushing Meadows at 6-4, is now a best-priced 11-10 to win a sixth successive US Open.

With the draw in his favour and the French Open and Wimbledon titles already under his belt this year, I can’t see past Federer.

However, don’t be surprised to see Murray reach the final for the second year in a row and I would not put anyone off backing the Scot to be runner-up at Hills’ offer of 7-2.

Serena Williams is a worthy favourite for the women’s event at 19-10, although the 14-1 about top seed Dinara Safina is worth a second glance despite her struggles in her first-round match against Australia’s Olivia Rogowska.

Belgium’s Kim Clijsters, back in top-flight tennis after a long lay-off, is an intriguing contender, but 12-1 just about represents her chances in New York.


THWARTED by rain for the two Twenty20 matches at Old Trafford, England and Australia’s cricketers will be hoping for better weather for the first of seven one-day internationals at the Brit Oval on Friday.

Australia’s pace attack looked pretty decent in the truncated match on Sunday and the tourists are justifiably 4-7 to win the series.

That said, 13-8 about England on home soil is reasonable enough, so I am quite happy with my original bet.


ENGLAND warm up for next Wednesday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Croatia with a friendly against Slovenia at Wembley on Saturday.

This should be straightforward for Fabio Capello’s men, who are 2-11 to come out on top. The draw is 13-2 and an unlikely away win at 14-1.

As for the World Cup itself, England are 8-1 to repeat the heroics of 1966. European champions Spain and South American giants Brazil share favouritism at 5-1.


GOLF’S road show moves to Boston on Friday when Tiger Woods will tee off as the 13-8 favourite to win the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Back-to-form Padraig Harrington is second favourite at 16-1, followed by a resurgent Ernie Els and Steve Stricker at 22s.