Australian Open countdown: Andy Murray
With three days to go until the start of the Melbourne Park action, we look at the Scot's chances of lifting the trophy
Friday 16 January 2015 21:23, UK
Andy Murray will be looking to prove he is still one of the game’s elite and put a wretched 2014 behind him at the Australian Open.
The 27-year-old failed to make a Grand Slam final for the first time since 2009 in a campaign which he’ll largely want to forget, ending with a humiliating 6-0 6-1 thumping at the hands of Roger Federer at the World Tour Finals.
Back surgery and the departure of Ivan Lendl, who coached Murray to both of his major triumphs, saw him struggle with form and confidence throughout the campaign, although he did post a career-best semi-final run at the French Open.
It remains to be seen whether further changes to his coaching staff, with long-time hitting partner/turned interim coach Dani Vallverdu and fitness coach Jez Green departing, will prompt an upturn in results.
Being sixth seed was never going to aid the chances of the British no 1, who actually slipped as low as 12th in the world last year, but the draw could not really have gone much worse.
His Wimbledon conqueror Grigor Dimitrov could be waiting in the fourth round, with the potential reward for clearing that hurdle being the opportunity to face Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on the bounce – something never previously achieved in a Grand Slam.
Sky Bet responded by pushing him out from 13/2 to 10/1 to lift the Australian Open trophy.
Melbourne Park record
The Australian Open was often considered the most likely major for Murray to win, having reached the final twice before ending his agonising wait for major success at the US Open in 2012.
Indeed, having also made the final in 2013, last year’s quarter-final exit was his worst showing in five years.
The 28-year-old’s immense fitness makes him one of the most suited players to the physical challenge thrown up by the Melbourne weather, with temperatures of 40c+ on four successive days last year.
“There’s no doubt that Murray has the ability and conditioning to win the Australian Open but physiologically he’s a step behind the other top guys.
“Last year will have really dented his confidence and it will be interesting to see how he responds in 2015.
“We make him odds-against to win a single Grand Slam in 2015 and are Price Boosting him from 11/4 to 9/2 just to make the final at Melbourne Park, so expectations are certainly lower than they have been for some time.”
