Andy Murray's potential route to the US Open final

26 August 2016 11:23

Andy Murray's pursuit of a fourth grand slam title will begin against Lukas Rosol in the US Open first round.

Murray arrives at Flushing Meadows in excellent form, after winning Wimbledon and an Olympic gold medal this summer.

Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at his possible route to the final in New York.

First round: Lukas Rosol

Murray has won both of his previous meetings with Rosol, including a heated encounter with the world number 82 in Munich last year. After appearing to barge into Murray at a change of ends, the Scot shouted: "No one likes you on the tour, everyone hates you." On court, Murray should have few problems.

Second round: Marcel Granollers

Granollers reached the US Open fourth round in 2013 but that was his best result here and the experienced Spaniard is more comfortable on clay than hard. Murray lost to him on the dirt three years ago but has won their four matches since and should make it through again.

Third round: Gilles Simon

Simon can be an exhausting opponent as Murray found when they met in the Davis Cup quarter-finals last year. Murray won then and has only lost twice in 16 match-ups but the Frenchman can be dangerous. It could be a lengthy contest but anything other than a Murray victory would be a major shock.

Fourth round: Feliciano Lopez

Lopez is another baseline battler and he showed his quality by reaching the US Open quarter-finals 12 months ago. Generally the 34-year-old's best days are behind him, however, and Murray has never lost to the Spaniard in 10 meetings. That run is unlikely to end here.

Quarter-final: Kei Nishikori

Nishikori has been ranked in the top 10 for the last two years but has struggled to convert consistency into real grand slam success. A 2014 US Open final aside, the Japanese has never gone past the quarter-finals at a major tournament and Murray lost only five games when they met at the Olympics earlier this month.

Semi-final: Juan Martin del Potro

The seedings say Stan Wawrinka should make the last four but the Swiss' form has been patchy of late so it may be the resurgent Del Potro who takes on Murray for a place in the final. Del Potro pushed Murray to the limit in the Olympic final in Rio and should they meet again, expect another thrilling contest. Murray's superior stamina may just prove decisive.

Final: Novak Djokovic

Djokovic heads into the US Open short of fitness, as he struggles with a wrist injury, and short of form after early exits at Wimbledon and the Olympics. But the Serb will be as hungry as ever to prove his doubters wrong and it was only two months ago he held every major title available. If Murray wants to show he is now top dog in men's tennis he may well have to beat the world number one to prove it.

Source: PA