BNP Paribas Masters 2014 Betting: Murray to give Djokovic a Halloween fright

Andy Murray can push Novak Djokovic in Bercy today

It's the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Masters on Friday, with Andy Murray among those in action in Bercy today. Sean Calvert brings us the best bets...

Andy Murray got us back in the payout queue on Thursday at the BNP Paribas Masters with a comfortable win over Grigor Dimitrov.

It was never really in doubt from the early stages, as a below par Dimitrov, who was trying out a new racquet frame, was outplayed in pretty much all departments by one of Murray's best showings of the season.

The sarky Scot then wrote 'Bad Year' on the camera lens as he exited the court in a dig to his critics, but let's be honest - up until the last month or so it has been pretty much that for Murray.

Before all of that, Feli Lopez blew his chance of taking the opener against Tomas Berdych with some really poor play from 5-5 in that first set, most notably at 15-30 on the Berdych serve.

The Spaniard, with a second serve landing right into his leftie forehand dumped it lamely into the net and then gave his serve away in what was a fairly low quality affair.

Those who took the Stan Wawrinka 2-1 choice at 4.3100/30 would have reached 1.011/100 only to see the Swiss fail from *5-4, 30-0 in the decider to lose to Kevin Anderson. It's been that kind of week in Bercy.

Berdych's reward for beating Lopez is yet another career clash with Anderson, whom the Czech has defeated no fewer than 11 times in three seasons.

But this is silly season and what better time of the year for Anderson to finally get one over on the Czech, who hasn't exactly impressed here so far and who looked nervy against Lopez.

Berdych qualifies for the World Tour Finals whatever happens if he wins this and he probably will, but although these two play very similar games and the Czech is better at it I haven't noted that to be the case this week.

I think this will be tough for Tomas and Anderson can score early on here with nothing to lose and the 3.7511/4 about the South African taking the opener looks the one here.

Big Kev actually took the opener 6-1 in their only indoor clash, which was here two years ago, and with a point to prove, nothing to lose and against a nervy opponent that price on him winning set one looks good.

Murray is back on court at around 6.30pm UK time today and faces Novak Djokovic for the 23rd time, with the Serbian leading 14-8 currently and on a winning streak of three.

The last time that Murray beat Djokovic was the 2013 Wimbledon final and oddly, they've only ever met once in the past on indoor hard, which was at the O2 back in 2012.

Novak won that one and he's a 1.384/11 chance to win again today, which is a little short based on the much better form that Murray is in now compared to their last clash, which was in China four weeks ago. He's the same price today as he was then and that looks wrong, with Djokovic hardly impressing on serve last night against Gael Monfils.

Whether there was a problem with the elbow I'm not sure, but he served one ace and five double faults last night and was less than 50 percent on his first serves in play in the opener against Lamonf.

Murray will be relaxed after qualifying for the London finals and the only issue may be fatigue, so the set one market looks a good choice here too, with Murray a 3.02/1 shot to take it.

The Scot has won the opener five times in their last eight meetings and in better form now than any time this season that 3.02/1 must have a very good chance.

Recommended Bets
Back Anderson to win set one vs Berdych at 3.7511/4
Back Murray to win set one vs Djokovic at 3.02/1