• US Open

Sampras tips Andy Murray for greatness

ESPN staff
August 11, 2013
Andy Murray won his second Grand Slam at Wimbledon last month © PA Photos
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Pete Sampras insists Andy Murray has developed into a "great player" following his Wimbledon triumph last month - and predicts more Grand Slam success lies in his future.

Murray won his maiden major at the US Open last year, defeating Novak Djokovic in five sets, before ending the 77-year wait for a men's singles champion at Wimbledon with another victory over the world No. 1, this time in straight sets.

In only his second match since winning Wimbledon, Murray suffered a third-round exit at the Rogers Cup on Thursday to Ernests Gulbis, although he has continued his preparations for New York by reaching the doubles final in Montreal with Colin Fleming.

Murray will defend a Grand Slam title for the first time when the US Open gets underway on August 26. And Sampras, a 14-time Grand Slam winner himself, believes the 26-year-old now has the maturity to be able to cope.

"I think it's a little bit different when you're the man to beat, but you get used to that," said Sampras. "Mentally he's a bit better now. He recovers from some sort of bad situations in a match.

"Now he feels like he belongs, like he's up there with Roger Federer, up there with Rafa Nadal. He's on his way to doing great things.

"I just look at what Murray has been able to do the last year. He's progressed into this great player. He's figured it out.

"It was a great Wimbledon victory for him, he's always been a good hitter of the ball, been a great mover."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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