FIGHTER MURRAY

From Back Page hip, Murray was moving much more freely than 24 hours earlier – after his dramatic Friday night win over Italian Fabio Fognini.

And the coach has seen enough to be convinced the 30-year-old can defend the title he won here last year – despite the likes of Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic still being in contention.

When asked if he was impressed by Murray’s fighting spirit against Fognini, Lendl said: “Yeah but it’s Andy. I mean, you expect that, don’t you? “That’s how people win tournaments – they fight. It doesn’t come easy. You don’t always play your best but you have to fight. “When you play, sometimes you feel tired and have to push through that pain barrier as well.” When asked if he was worried about Murray’s physical condition, Lendl replied: “Do I look worried?

“He’s in the second week so he is in with a chance, same as 15 other guys. And by the end of tomorrow, if there is no bad weather, there will be only eight and hopefully Andy will be one of them.”

But with the game’s biggest hitters all safely into the last week Lendl admits his man is facing a ferocious battle for the trophy.

He said: “The cream usually rises to the top. The top guys are top guys because they do things a little bit better than the others.

“Can they be beaten? Of course they can but in the end most of the time the top guys win because they are a little better than the others.

“Whether it’s problem solving, lack of matches, distractions off the court – these guys are used to it.”