Andy Murray can claim French Open title says Tim Henman
Saturday 21 May 2016 14:23, UK
Tim Henman says Andy Murray has shown he has the game to contend at the French Open and believes he can win the title at Roland Garros.
Murray has enjoyed a fine run of form on clay over the last couple of years and heads to Paris as the second seed and second favourite to claim the title.
Fresh in the mind for Murray is a straight-sets win over world No 1 Novak Djokovic to claim the Rome Masters title last week and former British number one Henman is in no doubt that the Scot has every chance of adding to his Wimbledon and US Open titles.
"He can win and I don't think I would have said that 12 or 24 months ago. I felt there were too many good clay-court players and it was dominated by Nadal," said Henman.
"There is no doubt that Djokovic goes in as the favourite in Paris but the way Andy has played and how comfortable he is looking winning big tournaments - it is a big ask - but I definitely think he can win it."
Henman, whose best showing at Roland Garros was a brilliant run to the semi-final in 2004, admits that the subtle changes your game requires when switching surfaces has in the past taken its toll on Murray, but he is encouraged by his showings on the clay-court swing this season.
"It is about getting the balance right because on clay you have to be patient, you can't be taking huge risks and making errors," Henman added.
"I think in Madrid, which was difficult conditions because it is altitude and the ball travels a little bit quicker, it is not so easy to control. But he was still able to find that aggression.
"Then back down in Rome it is a little bit heavier and you can be even more aggressive and I think one of his best assets has been how he has served - when he has been down a break point he has got out of trouble with some big serving and that gives you a great platform for the rest of your game.
"Physically in the past, clay has been a surface that has troubled his back a little bit but it looks like he is moving very well and getting that balance right between control and consistency and aggression. It bodes well for Paris."
