Tuesday 16 August 2016 07:40, UK
Andy Murray's gold medal triumph at the Olympics demonstrated his immense mental strength, according to Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan.
The British No 1 defeated Juan Martin del Potro in four sets to defend his Olympic singles title, following up his first gold medal at London 2012.
Murray's victory in Brazil came just a month after he claimed his second Wimbledon title and Sky Sports expert Cowan was hugely impressed with how the Scot maintained his high standards, despite a relentless schedule.
"What's incredible now when you look at Andy, it's becoming a very long list of incredible achievements," Cowan told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Of course the Olympic gold at Wimbledon, then the US Open, then Wimbledon, and then of course last year winning the Davis Cup - incredible. It was 11 rubbers out of 12.
"What was even more impressive was that he won Wimbledon and didn't suffer a mental lapse.
"He was ready to go again. Last week when he was pushed. He was down a break in the third twice against (Fabio) Fognini and Steve Johnson. That match last night was quite astonishing."
Murray barely has any time to recover before this week's opening match at the Cincinnati Open, live on Sky Sports, which could be a meeting with the big-serving Ivo Karlovic.
Cowan believes the 29-year-old's renowned stamina levels will be tested to the limit as he prepares for the US Open.
"It's brutal and I don't think many of us can expect too much of Andy," said Cowan.
"Realistically, it's an event that he's got to play. I think he needs to get a couple of matches. Yes, Rio is on hard and the US in a couple of weeks is on hard, but it's different types of temperatures.
"He does need a couple of matches, but it doesn't get easy. He's got a bye to play, potentially, Karlovic. Well Karlovic is on his best run ever, he's just fresh from winning a title yesterday, so it will be tough for Andy, but why not keep this winning run going."
