The Mutua Madrid Open continues in Spain as the men take the court for their second-round action while the women are in the round of 16. We’ve had plenty of exciting matches and some shocking upsets so far in this tournament. We are definitely looking forward to seeing what twists and turns this tournament gives us today. Let’s take a look at today’s featured matches to find more winning tennis picks.
Victoria Azarenka vs. Amanda Anisimova
Monday, May 2, 2022 – 03:00 PM EDT at Manolo Santana Stadium
Victoria Azarenka
Victoria Azarenka is the 32-year-old Belarusian player ranked 17th in the world. Azarenka is popular with tennis fans around the world for her charming personality, yet honest and blunt statements about what is on her mind.
At 32 years old, Azarenka is in the twilight of her career but is still sharp enough to contend for titles in any tournament she enters. Victoria Azarenka will face a younger version of her game today against Amanda Anisimova.
Join Now: $1,000 BMR 12-Week All Sports Challenge
Victoria Azarenka cruised in her first round match against Viktorija Golubic. Azarenka won 7-6, 6-3. It was a good start to the clay season for Azarenka. Azarenka was tested in the second round when she was pushed to three sets by Tamara Zidansek. Azarenka dropped the first set but was in control for the rest of the way for a 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory.
Azarenka struggled with her first serve in the match, only serving 51%. Azarenka will need to improve her first serve percentage to have a good chance at victory today.
Amanda Anisimova
Amanda Anisimova is a 20-year-old American ranked 33rd in the world. Anisimova plays in a similar style to Azarenka. Both women are tall, and both women hit with plenty of power. When Anisimova is on, she looks like she could be a top-five player in the world.
So far in her career, her only problems have been keeping things together strategically and mentally, and her commitment to the sport. Still, at only 20 years old, these types of setbacks are common, and she has plenty of time to fully mature into being a well-rounded player.
Amanda Anisimova was pushed to three sets in both of her matches so far. However, the first-round match was against the world number four and defending Madrid Open champion Aryna Sabalenka. Anisimova won 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
It was an excellent performance from Anisimova, who did not let her drop in level of play in the second set defeat her fighting spirit. Anisimova was able to turn it around and with the early break in the third set, she was able to get a strong, well-deserved victory.
In her second match here, she also went to three sets. This time against world number 58 Petra Martic. Anisimova dropped the first set, but then completely took control. It was a slow start; Anisimova definitely looked sloppy. Once she got things together though, it was a fairly routine victory for the young American.
The Pick
I like Anisimova to get the win here in this matchup against Azarenka. Their styles are very similar, but with the advantage of youth and a little bit more power, Anisimova has all the tools to be able to beat Azarenka at her own game. Azarenka's path to victory is to try to force a lot of errors from Anisimova, but the defensive, counter-punching game is not her style.
Azarenka is a veteran and does know how to switch gears, however, so it'll be interesting to see if she tries to slug it out with the young American, or she changes to her less preferred style in order to have the tactical advantage.
Regardless, Anisimova is on her way up and this match will be another demonstration of the young American's skill. Our first bet for today's Mutua Madrid Open is Amanda Anisimova ML.
WTA Pick: Amanda Anisimova -2.5 Games (-116) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
Andy Murray vs. Dominic Thiem
Monday, May 2, 2022 - 02:00 PM EDT at Manolo Santana Stadium
Dominic Thiem
Is Dominic Thiem going to become the poster boy for "The Lost Generation"? After the "Big Three'', the "Next-Gen" was supposed to come in and take over the tennis tour. Players such as Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander Zverev, and Dominic Thiem were supposed to highlight the next generation of Grand Slam champions.
These players have not had success taking over the footsteps of the "Big Three". Thiem was set to be the heir apparent on clay, as the best player behind Rafael Nadal. Nadal is not ready to cede this title just yet, and it appears that Carlos Alcaraz might be the one to take the throne and not Dominic Thiem.
Check Out: BMR’s Sports Betting Forum
Thiem has played a ridiculously grueling schedule throughout his career, and all the tennis finally caught up to him at the end of the last season when he suffered a wrist injury. Thiem is working his way back from the injury but has yet to record a win. Thiem has played 3 matches since his return and has only won 1 set.
His most recent loss was in Estoril against Benjamin Bonzi who defeated him 6-3, 7-6. We are left to wonder if Thiem will ever regain the form he once had to lead him to be considered the next top clay player in the world.
Andy Murray
When Andy Murray was in his prime it was not the "Big 3" it was the "Big 4". Unfortunately, Murray's grinding style led him to have a short time at the top. Murray beat his body up so badly that he eventually needed to have surgery on his hip and thought he was done with tennis.
Murray valiantly fought back for the love of the game, but he is nowhere near the player he was when he was challenging Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic for Grand Slam titles.
Murray is 6-6 in his last 12 matches and has not won two matches in a row since early January. While it is exciting and inspiring to see Murray on the court, he is not the player he once was. Still, he brings fans into the stands and gives us older guys an inspiring story.
The Pick
This is a great chance for Dominic Thiem to get a big-name victory on his favorite surface. The clay in Madrid plays faster so it will not be the same advantage he would have in Rome or Roland Garros, but still, it is a chance for Thiem to slide around and use his extreme topspin to his advantage.
Murray hits much flatter than Thiem and Thiem's game will play much better here in Spain. This will be Thiem's chance to finally get a win after his huge drought. I like Dominic Thiem to finally end his seven-match losing streak and get back to being a clay contender once again. Our second play for the Mutua Madrid Open is Dominic Thiem -3 games.
ATP Pick: Dominic Thiem -3 Games (-103) at Bookmaker
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
