• US Open

Federer wary of Murray threat

ESPN staff
August 23, 2010
Andy Murray beat Roger Federer in straight sets to defend his Rogers Cup title in Toronto last week © Getty Images
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Roger Federer considers Andy Murray to be one of his biggest threats as he bids to win a record sixth US Open title next month.

After ending a seven-month title drought stemming back to the Australian Open in January, beating Mardy Fish to defend his Cincinnati Masters title, Federer believes the battle for the final Grand Slam of the year will be a straight dogfight between the top four seeds in New York.

Federer is currently tied with Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors on five US Open titles, but victory at Flushing Meadows would see him become the most successful player in the Open era.

"The top four have the best shot again," he said. "Murray has proven himself on the hard courts, so has [Novak] Djokovic and so has Rafa [Nadal]. He's won the Australian Open. The US Open is a bit faster, so you figure Rafa will struggle a bit more. But, if the draw goes his way, he'll be in the finals and have a crack at the title. He knows how to win slams. He's won all the other ones."

With defending champion Juan Martin del Potro still out with a wrist injury, Murray is one of the favourites to win his maiden Grand Slam, and Federer believes he is finding his form just in time.

"Many guys are playing well," he said. "Murray didn't win a tournament for a long time, and he's been able to win Toronto again. That definitely makes him one of the favourites."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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