Smith predicts another successful comeback if Murray opts for surgery
Leon Smith believes Andy Murray can take comfort from his comeback after back surgery as he considers going under the knife again.
The world No 2 is weighing up his options after ongoing hip problems forced him to pull out of the US Open.
Those options are dwindling given a lengthy period of rest and rehab following his Wimbledon exit did not reduce the soreness to a level where he felt he could do himself justice.
Murray will certainly be reluctant to undergo surgery at this stage in his career, having taken more than a year to get back to his b est after his back operation in 2013.
Hip problems are also notoriously difficult to overcome and there is no guarantee that keyhole surgery would significantly improve the problem, while a more serious op era- ti on would mean the end of his career.
But, if he does decide togo under the knife, Smith believes Murray can take confidence from the way he ultimately recovered from the back surgery to have the best season of his career last year – as well as the form shown by Roger Federer after his own knee surgery and lengthy break.
The Great Britain Davis Cup captain said: ‘’ Every injury has its complications and you can go and see a number of different specialists and you might get quite varying responses in terms of next steps, best steps.
‘’ He’s a very intelligent guy andit’ s his career. I’ m sure he’ll take on board all the pieces of advice he’s had and make a decision that’s best for him.
‘’ I’m sure if he looks around at other players it gives you confidence but he has also gone through it with his back and I’m sure that was a difficult decision.
‘’ Surgery is always the one you wait onto make sure
DEJA VU “He [ Murray] has also gone through it with his back and I’m sure that was a difficult decision”
LEON SMITH
you’ve got enough evidence that it’s going to make a positive difference, so he knows he can come through it again. He came out a better player so it’s definitely possible.’’
With Murray absent, British No 2 Kyle Edmund was in the spotlight whe he took on on 32nd seed Robin Haase.
And, full of confidence after reaching these mi-final sat the Winston- Salem Open last week, he enjoyed a straightsets first- round victor y over the Dutchman. Edmund won 6-3,7-5,6-3 in under two hours and will now play American Steve Johnson for a place in the third round.
Edmund, who controlled the match from the back of the court, used his booming forehand to pummel Haase into submission and broke his opponent’ s serve on five occasions.
The Brit on clinched the decisive first break of the match in the eighth game of the opening setto lead 5-3 before serving out. Edmund was first to break serve again in the second set to open up a 5- 3 lead and – although Haase broke the Briton for the only time inthe next game and then held to level it up at 5- 5 – the Briton did not falter. He broke Haase again immediately and sealed the second set 7- 5.
Haase lost serve for a fourth time in the opening game of the third set and Edmund sealed victory by breaking again at 5- 3 up when the Dutchman double- faulted.