Thursday 3 September 2015 12:33, UK
Andy Murray has won the US Open in 2012 and the third seed could do it again - here are the best reasons to back the Brit.
From his important build-up win in Montreal to the vociferous backing he will receive by New Yorkers, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
We have explored why Murray can win the US Open...
Murray has momentum against Djokovic
Had Murray been entering the grand blue courts of New York on a nine-match losing streak to his great rival Novak Djokovic, stretching back two years, it would be difficult to envisage the huge pendulum swing necessary for the British No 1 to claim US Open honours.
But everything changed at the Montreal Masters. Murray came up against his long-time foe on the same hard surfaces used at Flushing Meadows and successfully went toe-to-toe. He matched Djokovic's shot selection and, crucially, his seemingly bottomless gas tank of energy.
The losing streak was emphatically snapped in a 6-4 4-6 6-3 win, Murray's first over Djokovic since his famous 2013 Wimbledon victory. The Serb, this season, owns wins in the Australian Open final and French Open semi-finals but the Scot, if he needed it, will be reassured that he can finally alter the course of the recently one-sided rivalry.
He can finally defeat Federer
Roger Federer has proven a real thorn in Murray's side this year and the pair could set-up another showdown in the semi-finals.
Just a few months ago at Wimbledon, Federer ended Murray's title hopes at that same stage while he also defeated him in the last four at the recent Cincinnati Masters.
Why, then, should we expect Murray to end his five-match losing run against Federer at Flushing Meadows?
Well, Murray has already shown he can finally topple a dominant rival by making key changes to his game. Faced by Djokovic in the recent Montreal Masters final, he discovered a winning formula to end an eight-match losing streak.
Federer has not fared so well on the New York courts in recent years, with his last title triumph coming back in 2008. Yes, it was again versus the Brit, but Murray's hard court game has vastly improved and the 2012 champion only lost by fine margins in Cincinnati last month.
In fact, Murray's greater consistency saw him briefly replace Federer at No 2 in the world ranking this year and a victory over his troublesome foe is surely not far away.
Murray has American support
Passionate performers always go down well in the States and Murray, who rarely conceals his emotion, has captured the support of New Yorkers over the years.
His profile in the States was, of course, boosted by his 2012 title win and the Scot, a regular traveller to a Miami training base, appears to have developed a real affinity with US fans.
Murray's fan-base even includes Hollywood star Will Ferrell, who famously imitated Murray's bicep celebration and gatecrashed one of his interviews.
A strong vocal backing could prove crucial at testing times in the tournament and his popularity should be at an all-time high when he faces 'bad-boy' Nick Kyrgios in a dangerous opening encounter.
Sky Sports expert Mark Petchey said: "He's popular globally but there's part of America that has always identified with his personality because he wears his heart on his sleeve.
"They want to get to know you. They want to see how much each and every game matters to you, and undeniably that's what Murray gives the fans. He also provides an incredible brand of tennis to go along with his personality.
"If you travel around with Murray and see his interaction with the fans you'll see that they identify with him very strongly in America."
He will hit the ground running in last four
Unlike his fellow contenders for the top prize at Flushing Meadows, Murray will dive straight into the deep end with a dangerous first round draw that doesn't get any easier as he progresses. While it's a scenario he may have preferred to avoid, should he hurdle his first two or three opponents then he will enter the latter stages having built up the head of steam required to go all the way.
An opening tie against Kyrgios, the prodigiously talented if unpredictable 20-year-old, awaits Murray meaning he must bring his A-game from the first serve. In contrast, Djokovic and Federer open against unheralded duo Joao Souza and Leonardo Mayer, respectively.
And while Djokovic faces the prospect of an under-performing Rafa Nadal in the last eight and Federer could play perennial contender Tomas Berdych, Murray could meet French Open champion Stan Wawrinka.
It's not a draw the British No 1 would have chosen for himself but, if he survives the shark-infested waters prior to the semi-finals, he will be razor sharp before playing Federer or Djokovic.
Murray's serve is improving
The biggest perceived blemish on the British No 1's game has always been his second serve – arguably an exaggerated flaw in an otherwise masterful skill-set but, nonetheless, something opponents cling on to.
Yet recent evidence across the North American hardcourt swing suggests he is eradicating the generosity of his second serve. He demonstrated his new-found form with the ball in hand against Djokovic in Montreal when, as he won the first set 6-4, his second serve win percentage varied between 53-44 percent throughout the set.
Murray won 69 per cent of his first serve points in Canada, bettering Djokovic's 65 per cent, made even more impressive because the world No 1 is feted for his ability to return. Murray's fastest serve in that match was a vicious 115mph.
More admirable than its speed was Murray's service placement. He targeted Djokovic's backhand and mixed up a serve-and-volley style more successfully than ever before. Should his controlled aggression continue at Flushing Meadows it will bode well.
You can watch live coverage of the US Open, starting at 4pm on Monday August 31 on Sky Sports 1.
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