ATP Winston-Salem Open: preview & best bet for first round & Andy Murray news

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Andy Murray continues his comeback when he takes on Tennys Sandgren in the ATP Winston-Salem Open and the Brit is favourite to register a first success since his return to competitive singles action.

Despite losing his first match back against Richard Gasquet in Cincinnati last week, there was a lot to like about Murray's performance and the Frenchman franked the form by reaching the semi-finals.

But Sandgren, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 Australian Open and the fourth round at Wimbledon this year, is not an easy opponent and there is enough doubt surrounding Murray's fitness for punters to leave him alone.

A better first-round bet could be to back talented Alexei Popyrin to make light work of journeyman Thiago Monteiro in the North Carolina tournament.

The 20-year-old Australian reached the third round of his home Grand Slam at the beginning of the year, beating Dominic Thiem on the way and, while his results have been mixed in recent weeks, he should be able to account for Monteiro.

The Brazilian barely plays hard-court tennis, opting to mostly ply his trade in clay Challenger Tour events for most of the year. He has won just five matches on the surface in his ATP World Tour career, a record already eclipsed by his younger opponent.

There is room for improvement in Popyrin's game, but he already looks a better player than Monteiro and is worth backing giving up a 3.5-game handicap start.

Recommendation
A Popyrin -3.5 games
1pt 21-20 RedZone
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