Tim Henman has backed Andy Murray to establish himself as the world number one.
British great tips Scot to become world's top player
Tim Henman believes Andy Murray can overcome the disappointment of his defeat to Roger Federer in the final of the US Open to become world number one.
Murray was outclassed by Federer at Flushing Meadows in his first ever grand slam final but former British number one Henman believes the Scot will learn from his 6-2 7-5 6-2 loss.
"I really think he can be number one in the world - he is only 21 - and from Wimbledon earlier in the year it is amazing how much he has improved," Henman said.
"Andy has had many big breakthroughs and I think it is phenomenal how quickly his game is improving - he's up to four in the world now, so it's on to bigger and better things.
"There are so many areas he can improve on. His backhand is as good as there is in the game and he can be a bit more aggressive on his forehand.
"People were saying he got destroyed by Nadal at Wimbledon but he played the match of his career to beat him in the US Open semis and it won't be long before he's even higher.
"I wouldn't have thought he'd waste any time worrying what other people think. Fortunately Andy is more focused on his own game and where he needs to improve."
Consistent
Henman believes if Murray can serve to the level which he achieved against Nadal in the semi-final on a more consistent basis he will end Britain's wait for a first grand slam title since Fred Perry in 1936.
"If Andy can serve like that more often it means he can hold serve a lot more comfortably and we have seen what effect it can have on his game as it did against Rafael Nadal in the semi-final," Henman said.
"It is a process he is desperate to go through and achieve and I really think he can go on to be number one and not just win a grand slam but win multiple grand slams - it is going to be fun to watch.
"There are a lot of positives to take out of the defeat even though he would have been desperate to win his first grand slam.
"But the experience he has had over the fortnight - beating Nadal and getting to his first final - and now having lost it will motivate him to work even harder and next time he plays a slam in Australia he will believe he can go all the way and win it.
"I think it is important when you look at the final you really just have to applaud how good Federer was because Andy has had an unbelievable tournament.
"If you look at some of the tennis Federer played in the final it is easy to see why some people think he is the greatest player to have ever played the game.
"His game is so complete, there are no holes in it, and with another slam under his belt I expect he will go some way past Pete Sampras' list of grand slam titles."
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