PLANTING A SEED
Murray tips Evans to shine on fast Flushing Meadows courts
ANDY MURRAY backs British No1 Dan Evans to make rapid progress on the US Open’s quick surfaces next week.
Evans defeated world No14 Andrey Rublev of Russia in the first round of the Western & Southern Open warm-up tournament at Flushing Meadows.
But he then lost 6-3, 7-5 to the big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic two days ago.
Evans will now remain in the bubble in New York before the US Open starts on Monday.
The 30-year-old has reached the third round of the Grand Slam event three times, including last year when he lost to former world No 1 Roger Federer, and enjoys the faster surfaces.
And world No 28 Evans looks sure to be seeded in New York for the first time in his career.
Murray said: “If he is seeded inside the top 25 – I think he might just make it inside there – it helps because you would avoid the top-eight players in the third round.
“And I think the courts here are quick. As you saw against someone like Rublev, who is a top player, he caused him all sorts of problems.
“So, if he gets a good draw, he’s got an opportunity to do really well.
“Milos is a top player. His ranking of 30 is probably not reflective of his ability.
“I think he’s a better player than where he’s currently ranked. But Rublev has been one of the top players this year and Dan took him out.
“So, he’s got the ability to do very well in these conditions.
“There is just some game styles his game will work really well against, and because of the conditions that some players will find a little bit trickier.” As
for three-time
Grand Slam winner Murray’s chances next week, former British No 1 Tim Henman believes two victories at the US Open would represent an “amazing achievement” for the 33-year-old Scot, who has battled back to the sport following two major operations on his hip.
Henman lamented the fact that there will be no spectators in the Flushing Meadows stands to cheer the players on, with competitive action resuming behind closed doors after being halted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is strange,” said the 45-year-old Henman, who reached the semi-finals back in 2004.
“There is some unbelievable tennis played with some amazing rallies but then there is no crowd reaction at the end, so it is bizarre.
“But I think the thing which has shone through most is how pleased the players are to be back out there.
“It seems like they have hit the ground running and the level of tennis has been fantastic. I am expecting no different at the US Open.”