Andy Murray's performance against Lukas Rosol makes him favourite for US Open
Sky Sports Tennis expert hails Murray's ball striking while standing alongside American legend Andre Agassi at Flushing Meadows' practice courts
Thursday 1 September 2016 06:24, UK
Andy Murray is in the form of his life and looks unstoppable in his quest to become a two-time US Open champion, says Mark Petchey.
The British world No 2, looking ominous in all black, is arguably favourite in New York to claim his fourth Grand Slam title and the Scot justified the tag, thrashing dangerman Lukas Rosol 6-3 6-2 6-2 on Tuesday night.
Czech Rosol is best known for his shock Wimbledon defeat of Rafael Nadal in 2012, but Murray coasted through a rather sleepy contest in Arthur Ashe Stadium, during which the favourite was in complete control throughout.
The 2012 champion, who didn't face a single break point, is looking to add the Flushing Meadows title to his Wimbledon and Rio Olympic titles from earlier this summer.
Having also reached the Australian and French Open finals during an already hugely successful 2016, Petchey feels the 29-year-old three-time major champion is at the peak of his powers having watched him courtside during a practice session prior to his demolition job on Rosol.
"I was down on the court watching him practice with his brother Jamie and he was hitting the ball probably the best I've seen him hit it," said the Sky Sports Tennis expert. "I know it's only practice but he was hitting the ball so clean.
"There was no way I felt that Rosol had a chance last night, just from the practice and he's a dangerous player.
"It's a sign as to how well Andy is playing right now in that a guy can come out there, like Rosol, who had literally nothing to lose and he has taken a set off Andy before, but for Andy put it to bed as comfortably as he did says an awful lot about how well he is playing.
"I think after the first couple of days having watch him play I don't think there is any doubt in my mind that right now he's playing the best tennis, but the best tennis needs to be played on the final Sunday. It doesn't need to be played on the first Monday or Tuesday.
"From having watched him play last night and seen him close up, then unquestionably right now if everybody stays the same level Andy wins this tournament. "
Petchey says it is important for the Scot to get through the first week as cleanly as possibly without the minimum of fuss.
"The confidence is very high, which I think is important for Andy," he said. "He's looking calm and composed on the court. I think that more than anyone else he has got such a high tennis IQ that when he makes bad decisions it probably burns him maybe more than it does other players.
Ironically I was standing next to Andre Agassi and Murray's serve was Agassi-like in terms of the speed it was coming back.
"It is important for him to have a clean week and we saw that it caught up with him in Paris when he played Novak Djokovic in the final.
"He didn't have any such problems at Wimbledon and again, Ivan [Lendl] and Jamie [Delgado] will be obviously reiterating to him to get through the week as cleanly as possible and if he continues the way he is then he'll have enough in the tank."
Petchey took in Murray's practice session alongside American great Andre Agassi with both men sitting back in pure admiration of Murray's ability.
"He was just ripping it," Petchey said. "It's hard to describe in words what you're seeing. It was just so clean and crisp. You could just see he had so much time on the ball. Sometimes you find that form and with guys like Andy, it stays with them.
"Ironically I was standing next to Andre Agassi and Murray's serve was Agassi-like in terms of the speed it was coming back."
Murray's progress means Britain have five representatives through to round two at Flushing Meadows for the first time in 29 years, with Kyle Edmund, Dan Evans, Johanna Konta and Naomi Broady also winning their opening encounters.
"It's obviously fantastic," said Petchey. "Anytime you can get a bit of momentum going like we are at the Open for the Brits it generates a lot of interest."
