Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and co previewed by Mark Petchey for the Montreal Masters
Sunday 9 August 2015 15:06, UK
Andy Murray will see the Montreal Masters as the perfect occasion to finally defeat Novak Djokovic, says Mark Petchey.
The North American hard court swing continues with the Canadian event packed with the world's top talent which will be live on Sky Sports all week.
Our expert Petchey has analysed the contenders for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's title - and insisted Murray must take his chance to end a eight-match losing streak to Djokovic before the US Open rolls around.
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Andy Murray
A surprise defeat to Teymuraz Gabashvili at the Washington Open did not take the gloss off a largely positive 2015 lit up by an Australian Open final and semi-finals at the French Open and Wimbledon. Not to mention, fatherhood is right around the corner.
But the Scot jumps straight back in the deep end in Canada as the second seed and could meet Djokovic in the final - Petchey insists that the British No 1 needs to defeat his long-time rival before a potential showdown at the US Open.
"That’s the match Murray will dream of," the Sky Sports expert said. "He’ll want to play Djokovic in the next week to finally get a win against him
"It would boost Murray to win this tournament – but what will it mean if he wins without playing Djokovic?
"It’s important for Andy to get some good performances and wins because it obviously didn’t pan out for him in Washington. If he looks at his draw, he’ll be happy with the potential for him to go deep in this tournament."
Novak Djokovic
The world No 1 and top seed is returning to action for the first time since winning Wimbledon. A maiden French Open eluded him prior to that, so the Serb's ultimate target will be a second US Open once he's warmed up in Montreal.
Petchey believes that, such is Djokovic's dominance in a stellar 2015, he can afford to use the Canadian tournament as a showpiece of his talent even if a difficult route to the final eventually eliminates him.
"Djokovic is in a tough section of the draw if he’s going to continue his recent domination," he said. "But he’s the man to beat on these courts.
"This next week is about Djokovic getting some good performances under his belt because he prefers the conditions in Montreal to playing in Cincinnati where it’s a lot quicker.
"Nothing over the next week can change the fact that Djokovic will be the favourite heading into the US Open."
Rafael Nadal
Seeded seventh in Montreal, the Spanish southpaw remains on the comeback trail after a period of poor form and niggling injuries saw his world ranking plummet to 10th.
Victory at the Hamburg Open, a tournament that other top players elected to to skip, is a step in the right direction but Petchey insists Nadal must prepare for the US Open with an eye-catching showing in Canada.
"Winning in Hamburg will have given him a huge boost but Montreal is a very different surface," Petchey said. "It’s a priority for Nadal to go deep in this tournament.
"At this stage of his career with his body he’s got to carefully manage how much he plays, and where he plays. He’s trying to play a lot because he wants to build up the confidence that he’s lacked in some of the bigger points this year."
Stan Wawrinka
The French Open champion and former Australian Open winner might be the one player whose style matches up favourably with Djokovic, says Petchey.
The Swiss player, seeded third, toppled Djokovic at Roland Garros and interestingly has a history of causing havoc to the world No 1 on North America's hard courts.
"He played one of his best matches a couple of years ago against Novak at the US Open," the Sky Sports expert remembered.
"He’s got a game that troubles Novak more than most players because he has huge power and very little rhythm.
"He can hit the ball lively up the line and it’s a conundrum for Novak. Stan will need to bounce back from a brutal loss to Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon but he’s definitely in the small group of guys below Novak that can win in Montreal."
Tomas Berdych
The fifth-seeded player in Montreal has never claimed a Grand Slam yet has spent the past few years ranked among the very best in the world.
He's making vital adjustments, Petchey claims, so can Berdych launch a Flushing Meadows challenge?
"He’s doing everything within his power to win that elusive Slam," Petchey said. "He’s trying to slim down because his coach Jez Green feels like he should be a touch lighter on hard courts. He works a lot on strength and power.
"Movement in such a huge part of playing on this surface, so he’ll be tested in Montreal."
Milos Raonic
The home favourite Raonic, born in Montenegro but raised in Canada, has returned to his contender status after a period struggling with injury.
Petchey thinks the eighth seed, known for a powerful serve, can flourish in front of passionate home support.
He said: "Raonic has had good performances in Canada before, he hasn’t been pressured by the crowd. I see him doing very well in Montreal.
"Anyone who says Raonic’s game hasn’t kept on improving would be wrong. His serving and volleying means he is one of the players that the top guys find it very uncomfortable to play."
Tune into the Montreal Masters, also featuring Tsonga, Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic plus many more stars on Sky Sports from August 10-16.
Non-subscribers can also watch without a contract through online streaming service NOW TV.
By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
