Andy Murray vs Joao Sousa: Australian Open 2015 match preview

A look ahead to the third-round match in the men’s singles

Andy Murray takes on Joao Sousa (Getty Images)

Good serving and consistency took Andy Murray through to the third round of the Australian Open. His patience was rewarded with 49 unforced errors from his second round opponent Marinko Matosevic.

The Brit dropped just six games and cruised through to the next round where he will meet Joao Sousa of Portugal.

Murray will be looking to extend his head-to-head advantage over Sousa (3-0), and end his Australian dream just like a year ago when the two met in the second round of the tournament.

For Sousa, it will be a third-round debut in Melbourne. He beat Jordan Thomson in his first round and then advanced to the third as his second opponent, Martin Klizan, retired after the first game of their fourth set.

The winner will face either Grigor Dimitrov or Marcos Baghdatis in the fourth round.

START: Thursday, Hisense Arena, third match of the morning session (starting 00.00 GMT)

PAST MEETINGS:

2014 – Cincinnati (Hard) Murray won 6-3, 6-3

2013 – Acapulco (Hard) Murray won 6-3, 6-4

2013- Australian Open (Hard) Murray won 6-2, 6-2, 6-4

STATS:

Sousa has never advanced past the third round of any Major.

Both players turned pro in the same year (2005)

Sousa, ranked 55th, is currently the best Portuguese player.

ODDS:

Murray to win 1.02

Sousa to win 13

TV: British Eurosport