Andy Murray has been pushed out to 7/1 (from 13/2) by Sky Bet to end his wait for a Grand Slam at the Australian Open after being dealt a testing draw.
In stark contrast to last year’s event, which the Scot entered as joint 7/4 favourite before eventually losing in the final to Roger Federer, expectations have been tempered after a disappointing 2010 saw him slip to fifth in the world rankings.
That drop means Murray could have to beat former US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro in the final 16, new number four Robin Soderling in the quarters, Rafael Nadal in the semis and Federer again in the final if he is to triumph at Melbourne Park.
The British number one 4/1 to go out in round four, 3/1 to crash out at the final eight stage, 2/1 to go out in the semis and 11/2 to be runner up again.
Sky Bet Tennis Trader Chris Kennedy said: “Murray can be fairly happy with his draw and should make at least the 4th round barring a major accident.
“He is likely to face the in-form Soderling in the quarter-finals followed by possible showdowns with Nadal and Federer if he is to land his first Slam and as such we are happy to lay him at 7/1.”
Nadal and Federer head into the event as joint 7/4 favourites with the Spanish number one looking to secure his fourth-successive Grand Slam title while the Swiss second seed attempts to claim a fifth title Down Under.
A final between the game’s top two is available at 6/4, while a repeat of last-year’s clash between Murray and Federer is 9/2.
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