Back Murray to make a mint

With the New Year looming large, bookmakers have unveiled their traditional list of specials for events that may or may not transpire over the next 12 months.

Whilst there is little value in many of the quotes, one price that takes the eye is the 4-1 that Paddy Power offer about Andy Murray beating Roger Federer during the year.

The Scot, who turned 20 in May, enjoyed another year of progress in 2007 and, with his decision to jettison coach Brad Gilbert, once more underlined his restless desire to continue that improvement and reach the pinnacle of his sport.

Federer remains the ultimate target, yet the Swiss world No.1 showed some signs of fallibility towards the year’s end, twice losing to David Nalbandian, in Madrid and Paris, and also being beaten by Fernando Gonzalez in the Masters Cup.

Murray, who has assembled himself a squad of coaching and fitness consultants, emerged victorious when the pair met for the second and last time in Cincinnati in 2006, triumphing 7-5, 6-4.

The Scot’s year begins immediately in the Qatar Open, while Federer is presently honing his game under the winter sun of Dubai as he prepares for the defence of the Australian Open in the second half of January.