Murray welcomes new era

Murray: Closing gap on Federer

Over three, four, five years, guys have caught up and realised that's the level they're going to have to get to if they want to be competing for grand slams.

Andy Murray
Quotes of the week

Also see

• US Open results
• Order of play
• Tennis on Sky
• US Open history

Andy Murray has acknowledged there is a wind of change blowing through tennis as he and his peers wake up to the fact that Roger Federer is beatable.

The Swiss was last week deposed as world number one by Rafael Nadal and he will have a tough task on his hands at the US Open over the next fortnight.

Murray, who faces Frenchman Michael Llodra in the second round at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday, agrees with James Blake that Federer's talents are not on the wane, just that the rest of the tour pros are closing the gap.

"It happens in all sports when someone sets the bar that high," the Scot said.

"That's not going to happen straight away but over three, four, five years, guys have caught up and realised that's the level they're going to have to get to if they want to be competing for grand slams and I think this year has been the time.

Mindset

"I still think Federer is playing great tennis, but I think just the mindset of the other players has changed because he's lost more this year than he has in the past."

Murray, who teamed up with Ross Hutchins to advance to the second round of the men's doubles with victory over Thai twin brothers Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana, is now preparing for his second-round singles opponent.

"Llodra is really talented," Murray said.

"He played really well at the start of the year and hasn't had too much success lately, but he's a tricky, serve-volley lefty.

"I played him once before in Metz and won quite comfortably, but I think he's playing a bit better than he was when I beat him."