ANDY MURRAY still believes the US Open represents his best chance of winning a grand-slam title and is prepared to see off Rafael Nadal in his bid for glory.
The British No.1 opens up his New York campaign against Argentinian Sergio Roitman today bidding to improve on his run to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon earlier this year.
The 21-year-old, who has already had success on the US hardcourt circuit t
his year with victory in the Masters Series event at Cincinnati, said: "I don't know exactly why it is but I always feel comfortable here.
"I love New York as a city. When I missed Wimbledon last year I realised how much it meant to me. I always want to play great at Wimbledon and do well there but just for my personality, I think the US Open and New York suits me better.
"I just think for me, this is my best surface. I've said it all along, I think I play my best tennis here, I feel most comfortable on the courts, my results have shown that. I've always played well in America. So I think this is my best chance for winning a slam."
Apart from his Olympic disappointment, when he crashed out of the singles at the first hurdle, Murray has been enjoying his best summer to date, reaching the last eight at SW19 and winning his first Masters Series title in Cincinnati.
He has climbed to sixth in the world and a good performance at Flushing Meadows could see him go higher as he does not have many ranking points to defend.
If Murray gets by Roitman, who has only one victory away from clay this year, France's Michael Llodra or Teimuraz Gabashvili await in the second round.
He could meet world No.28 Feliciano Lopez in the third round and No.10 Stanislas Wawrinka in the last 16.
World No.1 Nadal is likely to lie in wait should he make it to the last four, but Murray insists that is a challenge he is ready to meet.
"I don't feel I am far from beating Nadal," he said. "On clay, I'm a very long way off, but on the other courts, I don't think so. Each time I've played him on hard courts I've never felt I was outclassed.
"This is my best surface and I think once I do get stronger physically I'm sure I'll beat him.
"I don't think you really know whether you are ready or not to reach a Grand-Slam final. I'd like to think that I can take the opportunity when it comes."
Murray's draw at Wimbledon was tough, but here it is less so. If he were to advance to the quarter-finals, he would likely meet Spaniard David Ferrer, who beat his countryman in New York last year but is not in Nadal's class.
"I played him (Ferrer) twice. I lost to him on clay and beat him on hardcourts a few years ago very comfortably," Murray said.
"He's a tough player but it's a long way from playing that match. A lot of tennis to play before then."
Murray's match against Roitman is scheduled as the third match on the Louis Armstrong Stadium, with play due to start at 11am local time (4.00pm here).
The full article contains 563 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
