Is Andy Murray the Real Deal?

It’s becoming a bit of a habit. 4 wins out of 4 over the greatest tennis player of the modern era and people are really starting to believe that, in Andy Murray, the great British Public might just have a future World Number One in their midst.

Today’s latest victory over Roger Federer has prompted William Hill to install Murray as 9/4 favourite to win the imminent Australian Open - the first time a British player has ever been favourite for one of the Majors. The truth is you can still back him to win the tournament at the best odds of 11/4 with Jetbull if you fancy parting with some of your cash but it’s a measure of how well Murray has started this campaign.

On Saturday he faces Andy Roddick in the final of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. The American is another whom Murray seems to have the measure of and it’s doubtful he’ll prevent the Scotsman from defending his title. Murray is just 2/7 (Paddy Power) to win the match and it’d be a major surprise if he didn’t take the spoils.

A win would take him into the Aussie Open in fine heart and a favourable draw may well see those 11/4 odds tumble very quickly. In fact the bookies are fearing a Murray success already; ‘On current form Murray is already World Number One - and we’re beginning to get worried about how much he will cost us if he starts to win Grand Slams - it will be a six figure payout if he wins in Australia - but make that millions of he goes on to win Wimbledon.’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.

To actually become World Number One by the end of 2009, Murray is just 5/1 (William Hill) and that might be worth snapping up before it’s gone. It already looks too late to get any value in the Sports Personality of the Year betting, with Murray already heading the betting at 5/2 (Coral, William Hill) to take the mantle from Chris Hoy in 2009.

Murray reached the US Open final last year and is a tasty 9/2 (Coral) to go one better at Flushing Meadow this time round.

But the big one is of course Wimbledon and Murray can still be backed at 5/1 (Blue Sq, Paddy Power, Totesport) to win the famous old trophy at SW19 this Summer. There’ll be plenty of backers at that price and if you enjoy trading on Betfair and are happy to tie up some money for a few months you could do worse that take a starting position on the Scot at that price.

So what do you think? Does Murray have what it takes to land a major this season? And will he be able to overhaul Federer and Nadal to become World Number One?

Either way it should be an exciting season in the world of tennis.