In-depth: Is this Andy Murray’s time to clinch Grand Slam no.3?

ByBen Snowball

Updated 31/08/2015 at 14:50 GMT

In many ways, Andy Murray has enjoyed a scintillating season. He’s flown up the rankings, been hugely consistent and finally ended that nasty losing run against Novak Djokovic.

Andy Murray of the United Kingdom hits a ball during a practice session prior to the US Open

Image credit: AFP

But it will all count for nothing if his Grand Slam counter hasn’t ticked from two to three by the end of 2015.

So one question remains: can the British number one win his second US Open at Flushing Meadows?

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MURRAY’S FORM

If Murray hoists aloft the trophy on September 12, perhaps we’ll reminisce about the mammoth 18-minute service game he weathered against Djokovic in Toronto.

Holding a break of serve in the deciding set of the final, Murray was forced to dig deep – really deep – as the world number one peppered him, forcing seven break points. Surely Murray would crack? After all, this was a familiar storyline.

Only, he didn’t relent. Murray swatted away the danger, somehow hauling himself over the line – a far cry from the man who limply conceded the fourth set 6-0 to Djokovic in the Australian Open final earlier this year.

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray with their trophies of the Rogers Cup at on August 16, 2015 in Montreal

Image credit: AFP

It ended his eight-match drought against the Serb and provided a timely reminder that he can up his game against the world’s best after a tame exit to Roger Federer at Wimbledon. He may have downplayed the win in the aftermath, but the significance was huge.

Defeat to Federer followed in Cincinnati at the semi-final stage, but it was not too troubling for Murray who was afforded some extra rest while also preventing anyone getting too carried away ahead of the US Open.

[THE CONTENDERS: How will the top eight men’s seeds fare?]

Along with the Swiss maestro, Murray is one of the in-form men going into the championships. However, he faces an ominous route to the trophy…

Roger Federer (L) shakes hands with Andy Murray

Image credit: AFP

MURRAY’S POTENTIAL TREACHEROUS PATH TO GLORY

Round one: Nick Kyrgios (world number 37)
Round two: Adrian Mannarino (no.34)
Round three: Thomaz Bellucci (no.30)
Round four: Kevin Anderson (no.15)
Quarter-final: Stan Wawrinka (no.5)
Semi-final: Roger Federer (no.2)
Final: Novak Djokovic (no.1)

Ouch. This might just be Murray’s trickiest Grand Slam draw since becoming a seed. He could potentially face seven players inside the world’s top 40, meaning there’s no room for a sluggish start.

Having said that, rounds two-four should hold little fear for Murray, assuming he can emerge unscathed from his opening sledge-fest with Nick Kyrgios. He’s spent the season easing past opponents with less talent – regardless of their ranking – and it could actually propel him to a greater level, rather than performing within himself until the second week and struggling to adjust against a truer rival.

Wawrinka is a horrible quarter-final draw, while his reward is even more ominous: a Federer semi-final before a Djokovic head-to-head for his second title at Flushing Meadows. That’s ignoring one small detail though… The US Open doesn’t always follow the script.

Britain's Andy Murray raises his trophy after defeating Serbia's Novak Djokovic (L) in the men's singles final match at the US Open

Image credit: Reuters

WHY IS THE US OPEN SO… OPEN

2014: Marin Cilic
2013: Rafael Nadal
2012: Andy Murray
2011: Novak Djokovic
2010: Rafael Nadal
2009: Juan Martin del Porto
2008: Roger Federer

Six winners in seven years tells a story: the US Open is unpredictable. While the above of roll of honour does feature the usual contenders, it also provides an opportunity for lesser stars to pounce on ailing champions.

Why? The punishing season finally catches up with the elite, each run deep into a tournament putting further strain on jaded limbs. Meanwhile, those who have had a disappointing season, but are suddenly hitting form on the hard-courts, will be far fresher. Djokovic, Federer and Wawrinka – the three standout men in the draw – have all gone deep in numerous tournaments, suggesting upsets could be in good supply over the next two weeks.

The latter two men look in marginally better condition entering Flushing Meadows, but there is no greater competitor than Djokovic when the real action unravels.

SO CAN MURRAY DO IT?

Absolutely.

Djokovic has looked weary in the warm-up events (despite reaching two finals); Federer continues to fall just short in the five-set format. Everyone else is beatable.

Murray’s fierce draw could also prove a blessing. How was he meant to adapt to a near-unstoppable Federer at Wimbledon in July when he had the easiest of quarter-finals against Vasek Pospisil? It was too big a jump.

Roger Federer of Switzerland shakes hands with Andy Murray of Britain after winning their match at Wimbledon

Image credit: Reuters

The Brit’s route to Olympic glory was littered with decent opponents (Wawrinka, Djokovic and Federer) as was his path to US Open victory later in 2012. Even at Wimbledon 2013, when he had a somewhat favourable draw, he was tested by opponents who upped their games – five sets against Fernando Verdasco, a tense four-setter with Jerzy Janowicz before his Djokovic coronation.

If you’re going to win the Grand Slam, you need your form to improve as you go along – and that can only happen if the opponents are a good level. Perversely, Murray’s tricky draw could be the catalyst to a third Grand Slam triumph.

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