The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Murray keen to keep taking chances
Scot takes on ‘favourite’ tag as main rivals struggle with injuries
Andy Murray admits he must capitalise on the chance to win grand slams when his rivals are not at their best.
The Scot has yet to drop a set in his opening two rounds at the US Open and faces Italy’s world No 40 Paolo Lorenzi today for a place in the last 16.
Murray’s progress has been notable for its lack of drama, particularly while Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both continue to wrestle with injuries at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Both players still came through comfortably, Djokovic with the help of a walkover in the second round, but questions remain about how they will hold up when tougher opponents arrive.
With Roger Federer absent while he recovers from knee surgery, the stars look to be aligning for Murray as he seeks his fourth grand slam title and second here after lifting his first in 2012.
The 29-year-old, reunited with coach Ivan Lendl, has enjoyed the best year of his career so far, winning Wimbledon, the Olympics and reaching three out of three major finals.
“I have capitalised on a few opportunities,” Murray said.
“When some of the other top guys maybe hadn’t played or struggled or lost, it’s important I have taken those chances when they have come my way, which is good.
“Becoming a parent has changed my perspective a bit on things. I feel a little bit calmer than maybe I did in my past about my tennis and how important tennis is in my life.
“It’s still extremely important, but it’s not the most important thing. I think having Ivan back on my team has been great and has helped me a lot.
“There have been a number of changes this year and I think all of them coming together at the same time has made for a successful few months.”
Murray’s greatest obstacle may yet be the weight of expectation, given he is now considered the favourite in the draw, even with Stan Wawrinka and Juan Martin del Potro lurking in his half.
Fifth seed Milos Raonic, who beat Federer at Wimbledon before losing to Murray in the final, crashed out after admitting “nerves and stress” had left his body riddled with cramp.
Murray is one of the fittest players on tour, meticulous in his preparation, but he too experienced cramps here two years ago, when he survived a brutal contest with Robin Haase.
“There is the psychological aspect of it,” Murray said. “The stress that you might put yourself under and the nerves that you feel can cause that. I think most players have gone through it and for some reason it seems to happen more at this event, I think, than at the others.
“I don’t know if that is because of the humidity or maybe players are coming in here more fatigued at the end of a long season, a long stretch. I don’t know.”