Murray not resting on laurels as he chases second US Open title

Heading into the start of the US Open on Monday, few would dare rule him out of contention of winning the top prize at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2012.

And, whisper it quietly, it's advantage Murray. Novak Djokovic is not at full fitness, but that doesn't mean Murray is prepared to rest on his laurels any time soon.

Two weeks have passed since the 29-year-old clinched Olympic gold with that nail biting 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Juan Martin del Potro in the Rio heat, sealing his place in history as the first male singles player to win multiple titles at the Games.

As for his rival, a recent slump in form has seen Djokovic crash out in the early stages of both Wimbledon and the Olympic Games, with a wrist injury currently blighting his play of late.

But as he prepares to kick off his campaign against Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic, Murray refutes suggestions he is the favourite heading into the tournament.

"I've had a long summer as well," he said. "My body is not fresh and my body is not perfect either. I've played a lot.

"Often it's been the case at the US Open that guys at this stage of this year are fatigued, especially ones who have been competing for the majors throughout the year.

"My advantage is that I have played a lot of matches and am coming in with the confidence of that knowing that physically I am in good shape. I don't see this as any more of an opportunity than any of the other slams."

Victory in New York would see British No.1 Murray move closer to the top of the world rankings - a place he has never occupied in his career.

But that, he insists, is not his priority right now, and he refuses to let the prospect of a career-high ranking distract him from the immediate task at hand.

"Trying to get to No.1 is a goal of all of the guys at the top. I would love to get to No.1, but it's more of a long-term thing," he added.

"I need to continue what I'm doing, the consistency I've had the last few months. A lot of times that would have been enough to get to No.1 but not now, because of how great Novak's been.

"I need to try to maintain this consistency every single week and this tournament's no different."

Elsewhere, Johanna Konta will start her campaign across the pond against doubles specialist Bethanie Mattek-Sands, an American who has never gone past the fourth round in the singles of a major tournament.

Former British no.1 Greg Rusedski has tipped Konta to break into the WTA top 10 by the end of the season - a feat not achieved by a British woman since Jo Durie in 1984 - and after reaching the quarter-finals in Rio, this is a great chance for Konta to match that achievement.

Joining the 25-year-old in the women's singles are Heather Watson and Laura Robson, the latter of whom will face an all-British clash against Naomi Broady, while Watson takes on Richel Hogenkamp of the Netherlands.

Meanwhile in the men's tournament, Kyle Edmund will be looking to push on from a magical performance in the last round of the Davis Cup against world no.15 Richard Gasquet as Dan Evans faces the USA's Rajeev Ram.

Sportsbeat 2016