Murray must prove he has the mentality, says Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is in no doubt Andy Murray has the game to win the US Open. But the world No 1 knows only too well that it is mental strength that can prove the difference between success and falling just short.

He and Murray are competing in arguably the toughest era of men’s tennis, and for many years their careers were considered to be on a par. They were born a week apart, with Murray the elder, battled against each other as juniors, broke into the top 100 at around the same time and rapidly climbed the rankings. Djokovic did what Murray could not, winning a grand slam at the Australian Open in 2008, but he and the Scot were still bracketed together as challengers to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. But this year the 24-year-old Serbian has surged ahead in devastating fashion, establishing his supremacy by hammering Murray in the final of the Australian Open and then going on to clinch the title the British No 1 wants more than any other, Wimbledon.

Djokovic has lost only two of 59 matches this season, beating Nadal in five finals, and he has no doubt what has made the difference. He said: “This is a very mental sport so I think, playing at the top level for the last couple of years, I was aware of the importance of a mental approach to the game. Obviously you need to have a high level of confidence. You need to believe that you can win matches when you’re playing against top guys and when you’re playing at grand slams.

“That’s something that I think improved in my life and my game in my head in the last 12 months.” Djokovic’s second defeat of the year came against Murray in the final of the recent Cincinnati Masters, although he was clearly hampered by a shoulder injury and retired in the second set. The Scot loves the hard courts of North America and he has taken inspiration from the success of Djokovic, who used to suffer from the same lapses in concentration that still blight Murray’s game.

Djokovic added: “He has won in Cincinnati. He’s definitely a player that everybody should look up to now. He has always come to the US Open with a Masters Series title, so I’m sure he’s very eager to win his first grand slam. We are all fully aware of his potential and we are aware that he has great talent. There are some things that he just needs to get together mentally. He has proven that he can win against anybody on any surface.”

Murray’s bid has arguably not been helped by having to wait until today to begin his campaign, when he will take on India’s Somdev Devvarman, the world No 64. Dani Vallverdu, Murray’s best friend and a member of the Scot’s coaching team, played against Devvarman on the US college circuit and will provide the fourth seed with valuable insight ahead of their first meeting. “I have seen him play a few matches and he’s solid,” said Murray. “He does everything pretty well. He’s got a very good attitude, very positive. He’s not going to give me anything, so I need to play well.”

Devvarman knows he has his work cut out if he is to cause a major shock at Flushing Meadows. The 26-year-old said it would be difficult against Murray. He said: “He’s obviously playing very well right now, he just won Cincinnati, so it’s going to be a very tough match for me to win but it’s tennis and anything can happen. I’m going to go out and give it my best, try to have some fun and win the match. He’s not a very easy guy to hurt. He’s really smart, he counter-punches really well and he’s been serving well lately, too. He’s a tough guy to play. For me to have a chance I’m going to have to play my best.”

The match is likely to be on Arthur Ashe Stadium in the day session.

Elena Baltacha reached the second round of the women’s singles last night when her opponent, American wildcard Jamie Hampton, retired as she was on the verge of defeat.

After a bad start, Baltacha had recovered to lead 2-6, 6-2, 5-1 and had just gone 30-15 down when Hampton, who had received treatment on her ankle earlier in the third set, slumped to the floor on Court 7.

It appeared that the 21-year-old was suffering from severe cramp and she was quickly attended to by doctors, while Scot Baltacha helped in fetching towels and ice to aid her stricken opponent, who was eventually helped off the court.

The victory meant Baltacha emulated fellow Brit Laura Robson, who also benefited from a retirement. She led by a set and 1-0 on Monday when Japan’s Ayumi Morita called it quits with a shoulder injury.

Federer, meanwhile, was victorious if not entirely convincing in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 first-round win over Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo. The 30-year-old faces Israel’s Dudi Sela next.