Andy Murray still appreciates the efforts of Ivan Lendl

31 August 2016 06:53

Andy Murray believes his stone-faced coach Ivan Lendl is finally developing a sensitive side as the pair go for glory at the US Open.

Lendl was back in Murray's players' box on Tuesday for the first time since their triumph at Wimbledon this summer, watching on as the Scot cruised past Lukas Rosol 6-2 6-3 6-3. He now faces Spain's Marcel Granollers in round two.

The eight-time major champion has taken his charge to an even higher level since they reunited in June, with Murray arriving at Flushing Meadows arguably as favourite, on the back of clinching Olympic gold in Rio.

Lendl, however, has not always shown much elation at the British number one's success, remaining blank-faced throughout the Wimbledon final and insisting afterwards the tear in his eye had simply been down to "hay fever".

After ending their first spell together in 2014, however, Lendl spent time working with some of America's most talented junior players and Murray believes that has given his coach a new perspective.

"Not a whole lot's changed but I think having the experience of coaching other players changes things a little bit," Murray said.

"You probably learn more from working with different players of different ages.

"When we worked together the first time, it's the first time Ivan had ever coached, as well. Now, having worked with younger players, I think you learn different skills and understand certain things a bit better.

"I think with young players especially, you can't just tell them, 'you served terrible today'. They can take that to heart and maybe the next day they serve terrible as well because their coach has told them that.

"Whereas with I think maybe older players or professionals, it's maybe a little bit easier to be a little bit more direct.

"I just think he's probably learnt some things working with juniors. He's a smart guy, obviously a good coach."

Asked if Lendl had gone soft, Murray said: "No, not on me anyway."

This is only their third tournament together since the start of the second spell, with Lendl contracted to work with Murray only at certain major events.

Lendl will have been satisfied with the world number two's start against Rosol, where he managed not to concede a single break point and was in control throughout.

The win offered a marked contrast to Novak Djokovic's opening round, after the Serb admitted he is struggling with a wrist problem and then took treatment on an arm injury against Jerzy Janowicz.

Djokovic was handed a timely second round walkover by Jiri Vesely on Wednesday and Murray believes his rival will get stronger as the tournament goes on.

"He seemed fine," Murray said. "He was moving good, hitting the ball good from the back of the court, just didn't serve so well.

"I'm sure that will get better as the tournament goes on. It looked like he served particularly well at the beginning of the match and seemed to be hitting the ball well from the back of the court.

"Just his serve wasn't so good. That's normal. Normally he would have played a little bit more, coming into this. He's normally done well in Cincinnati, though he's not won there, he's normally got to latter stages.

"Obviously with the early exit at the Olympics, he's just not played loads of matches for the last three weeks or so."

Source: PA