Just three of the world’s top 20 head to the pristine courts of the Queen’s Club this week as the grasscourt season really kicks into gear.
For a tournament with such a rich history, it’s a rather underwhelming field if we’re honest – its rival event in Halle has eight seeds in the top 15 (see below) – but perhaps that opens up the chance of a surprise winner or finalist.
Organisers do at least get Andy Murray’s presence – the five-time champion is due to play his first match since early March.
However, after more than three months out and with no top-50 wins since September, I think you’d be crazy to back him this week at 12/1.
Murray could face top seed and title favourite Matteo Berrettini in round two.
The Italian has certainly been playing well of late, rewarding followers of this column by reaching the Madrid final and then making the last eight at Roland Garros where he took a set off Novak Djokovic.
Unlike many of the current younger generation, Berrettini has proved he can play on grass – he was the champion in Stuttgart in 2019 and also made the semis in Halle that year.
It’s worth remembering at this point that no matches were played on grass in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
His sledgehammer serve should stand him in good stead here where matches can be won and lost in a handful of key points but 9/2 is short enough for me.
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