KING OF QUEEN’S
Murray back on form for grass court push
ANDY MURRAY believes he is on the way back to top form as he begins his hunt for a record sixth title at the Aegon Championships today.
The world No.1 opens up against British No.4 Aljaz Bedene at Queen’s Club where the Scot hopes to reclaim the trophy he won last year – and find rhythm ahead of Wimbledon.
Murray has endured a disappointing year, losing eight of his 29 singles matches and five of those to opponents ranked outside the top 20.
But with coach Ivan Lendl back by his side, there was room for encouragement at the French Open last month where he reached the semi-finals before succumbing over five sets to Stan Wawrinka.
Murray said: “I am playing better now than I was before the French. In practice I am hitting the ball a lot better than I was before the start of the tournament there.
“I was a lot closer but still far from where I wanted to be playing, so that is why I got back on to the practice courts so soon. This surface is a little more natural for me, which helps. But I’ve had to practice a lot this week.”
Murray took only two days off following his exit at Roland Garros and by last Monday was out hitting again.
He is most observers’ second favourite to win Wimbledon behind Roger Federer, who clinched his 18th Grand Slam at January’s Australian Open.
But Bedene disagrees and said: “Andy is favourite. He has great movement, great returns, he is always fighting.”
Meanwhile Johanna Konta bids to battle back from her shock defeat by Donna Vekic in the Nottingham Open final at this week’s Aegon Classic.
Konta, who opens against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko today in Birmingham, said: “I’m just looking to adapt well on the surface and compete well.”