Andy Murray to hit form against John Isner at French Open, says Jamie Delgado
Sunday 29 May 2016 10:49, UK
Andy Murray has got past his difficult start to the French Open and is now ready to hit full form against John Isner, according to coach Jamie Delgado.
Murray faces the 6ft 10in big-serving American in Sunday's fourth round after overcoming another giant of the game, Ivo Karlovic, in straight sets on Friday afternoon.
Victory inside three sets against Karlovic will come as relief to Murray, who was taken to five sets by both Radek Stepanek and Mathias Bourgue in his opening two matches at Roland Garros.
And former British Davis Cup player Delgado, who joined Murray's coaching team in February, expects the Scot to hit form heading into the second week of the tournament.
"It was a tough two or three days for sure," said Delgado. "The stress was obviously high in the early rounds, long matches and overnight, there was a lot of drama in a few days.
"I think he was tired but I think he's recovered really well, and thankfully he had a straight-sets win yesterday, so I think physically he's got past that and he's in good shape."
Delgado was brought into Murray's team originally as assistant coach to Amelie Mauresmo, who left her role earlier this month and recently told L'Equipe that "on the court, [Murray] can be the opposite of what he is in life."
However Delgado, who has now taken up Mauresmo's role as Murray's head coach, defended the Scot's tendency to voice his frustrations while playing.
"From my point of view, that's the way he's been on the court all his life, since I've been watching him and supporting him from afar," said Delgado.
"But one thing he always does is competes his best and, when the next point starts, he's always mentally tuned in.
"I understand the stresses that he's going through on the court as well. It's not easy, he might be winning a match then losing it or playing badly, or the pressure's on a lot, whatever it might be.
"He just expresses it more than others maybe but he quite often finds a way through it, that's for sure.
"I'm aware he says things that he says in the heat of the moment. Sometimes they're not accurate and sometimes they might be. It's been fine."
Meanwhile Isner, who beat John Millman, British youngster Kyle Edmund and Teymuraz Gabashvili en route to the last 16, is aiming to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final since 2011.
The 15th seed, who is the last American man left at Roland Garros, is yet to beat Murray in five matches and most recently lost to the Scot at the Shanghai Masters in 2015.
However, Isner remains confident and believes he poses a different threat to Murray than Karlovic.
"He's definitely got some reps in against a pretty big serve," said the American. "I would have rather him played a grinder.
"But my serve is a little bit different. I think I can back it up better, as well. Our previous matches have been really close.
"He's played the big points better than me, which is one of the reasons why he's No 2 in the world. So I'm going to have to step up when I get opportunities - if I get them.
"It's a match I would love to win, and a match I believe I can win."
