ANDY, YOU CAN BE SERIOUS
Murray heading for final predicts McEnroe
JOHN McENROE says Andy Murray is on course for another French Open final.
And the American legend predicted Novak Djokovic could take out hot favourite Rafa Nadal in the semis to boost the Scot’s bid for his first title here. The world No.1 and last year’s runner-up ruthlessly disposed of Russian No.1 Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-4 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals here for the fourth consecutive year and said: “Today was the most complete match I have played.” After entering the tournament searching for form, Murray has improved in every match and will be heavily favoured to beat Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals tomorrow. McEnroe said: “I think he’s been great. The top four guys will probably be in the semi-finals. “I don’t think he was as far away as people were saying. It’s a lot of attitude. He’s tougher to beat in the Slams. The draw looked fairly tough in the beginning but now you would have to say you would be somewhat surprised if he didn’t get at least to the semis, if not the final.”
Murray got past the dangerous Juan Martin Del Potro in the third round – and will benefit from being on the other side of the draw from defending champion Djokovic and nine-time winner Nadal.
“Something tells me it’s not a foregone conclusion that Rafa will win it,” added McEnroe (right). “These conditions, balls kicking up pretty high, it’s pretty rough out there. I’d be very interested to see Novak play him and if he got through that, or Novak, it would be interesting to see because a lot of effort would be put out by whoever wins that match.”
The 1992 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic has been equally impressed by the Scot’s recent revival.
“He has found himself in the right moment,” said the Croat. “When you’re the top seed, last year’s finalist then you want to win. He’s playing better and better. You have Ivan Lendl in your team, the guy has so much experience. Andy knows what he has to do. “Sometimes you can play so bad before a Grand Slam, but the Grand Slam comes and you win somehow, and you don’t know why.” But the Croat added: “Rafa is looking great. I don’t know how to stop him – maybe put two guys there on the court!” Khachanov beat Tomas Berdych in the second round – causing the Czech to sack Ivanisevic as coach yesterday. And the Russian No.1 came out firing on his first appearance on Court Philippe Chatrier in the opening games before Murray worked out how to spike his guns. Repeatedly using a drop shot followed by a lob, Murray broke his serve five times and sealed the comfortable win in just over two hours. “Each match I feel like I played better,” said Murray. “I’ve hit the ball cleaner and started to see the right shots at the right moments. Yeah, I’ve come a long way the last 10 days or so.”