Aix-en-Provence 2023: Murray vs Van Assche Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Aix-en-Provence Challenger quarterfinal match featuring Andy Murray vs. Luca Van Assche on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Andy Murray vs. Luca Van Assche Preview

Fifth seed Andy Murray will face a tough challenge against French rising star Luca Van Assche in the quarterfinal of the Aix-en-Provence Challenger. Who will prevail?

Andy Murray just doesn’t know how to do things the easy way, does he? Murray looked well on his way to a straight-sets win over Laurent Lokoli, leading 6-4, 5-2. But he failed to serve out for the match at 5-3, spurning two MPs and squandered a couple more on Lokoli’s serve a game later before losing the set 7-5. Murray, however, was the better player deep in the third set, putting just about enough pressure to break Lokoli in the eighth game. And he made amends for his early wobble and served out the match successfully.

Luca Van Assche overcame fellow Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in a tricky contest, storming back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger. He’s now unbeaten in his last 12 matches on the Challenger Tour having bagged titles in Pau and San Remo. Let’s see if he has the qualities to outwit former World No. 1 Andy Murray.

Andy Murray vs. Luca Van Assche Prediction and Pick

Andy Murray and Luca Van Assche have not played each other at any level, with this quarterfinal match at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger being their first meeting. Van Assche is making waves at both the ATP and Challenger level. He’s had a rocky road in getting to the last eight this week, edging out Joao Sousa (no slouch on clay) and the veteran Mannarino who can be tricky regardless of the surface in three sets. Murray’s match against Lokoli had its own nerve-shredding drama in that second set before the Scotsman raced to the finish line in the third. Murray has never been a safe bet, not least on clay. He’s followed up his intermittent brilliance this season with some humdrum performances. You can not fault his effort and courage though, taking the option of playing in a competitive Challenger field this week. But Van Assche looks more likely to win his 13th straight match at this level.