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Murray ready for US Open glory - Gilbert

Andy Murray has played some of his best tennis this season in Toronto and Cincinnati © Getty Images

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Andy Murray's former coach Brad Gilbert believes the world No. 4 could win his maiden Grand Slam title under the guidance of his mother at the US Open in New York next month.

Murray split with coach Miles Maclagan last month before going on to win his first title of the season, beating Roger Federer to defend his Rogers Cup title in Toronto last week. And Gilbert, who worked with Murray between July 2006 and November 2007, believes Murray will not be at a disadvantage.

"I think he seems quite happy having his mother on board," he said. He is the most relaxed I've seen him and now when he looks over to his box he has nobody to be mad at. He can't be mad at his mum.

"She taught him how to play and was his first coach, he does a lot of conferring with her. He seems happy with the situation he has and I don't expect him to make changes any time soon."

Murray's quarter-final defeat to wildcard and eventual finalist Mardy Fish in Cincinnati was enough to maintain his No. 4 status in the world rankings, but with Robin Soderling breathing down his neck, the Scot will be under pressure to perform in New York. But Gilbert believes Murray will be a genuine contender for the US Open crown when the final Major of the year kicks off on August 30.

"When I started coaching him almost five years ago he had this five-year plan that his game was going to blossom," Gilbert said. "He felt it was going to happen at the Australian Open (where he lost to Roger Federer in the final in January). Everything was lined up and I think he had a hangover from that for about four or five months.

"He's finally over that and at 23 is coming into his own and now it's just a matter of getting to the finish line but he really believes he can do it."

After a brief interruption, Andy Roddick returned back into the top ten after his semi-final appearance in Cincinnati. Roger Federer defended his 1000 rankings points following his Cincinnati Masters victory, but remains over 3500 points behind world No. 1 Rafael Nadal.

The women's rankings will be updated after the completion of the Rogers Cup following rain delays in Montreal.

ATP World Rankings
1. Rafael Nadal (SPA), 2. Roger Federer (SUI), 3. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 4. Andy Murray (GBR), 5. Robin Soderling (SWE), 6. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS), 7. Tomas Berdych (CZE), 8. Fernando Verdasco (SPA), 9. Roddick (USA), 10. Juan Martin del Potro (ARG)

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