Could be Murray’s US Open moment if he keeps a New York state of mind: Rusedski

LONDON - Former British tennis star Greg Rusedski believes that Andy Murray has a ‘massive chance’ of winning his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, which starts from Monday in Flushing.

“Murray is coming into the last Major of the season with confidence after winning in Toronto. He played superbly to beat David Nalbandian and Rafa Nadal and then record his first victory in a final over Federer,” Rusedski wrote in an article for The Mirror.

“The timing is right for Murray. This can be his moment if he really believes he is good enough to win. It is all about having a New York state of mind,” he added.

The 1997 US Open finalist though admitted that it would be a tough task, as the Scot has not got the easiest of draws.

“His first couple of rounds should be no problem, but Stanislas Wawrinka is his likely third-round opponent, then Sam Querrey while Tomas Berdych, the Wimbledon finalist who beat him in Paris, is lurking in the quarter-finals. And then Murray is scheduled to face Nadal in the semis,” Rusedski said.

“But Murray beat the Spaniard at the same stage in 2008 - and can do it again. Although you can never write off Nadal, he has still to reach the US Open final and Murray can beat him on hardcourts,” he added.

The 36-year-old further said that Murray, whose game dipped after losing the Australian Open final, could benefit if he plays aggressively.

“The swashbuckling way he beat red-hot Nalbandian, who was on an 11-game winning streak, is the blueprint for New York,” Rusedski said. (ANI)