Murray: Henman will bounce back
Andy Murray has tipped fellow Briton Tim Henman to regain his place in the world’s top 20.
The Scot followed Henman into the last 16 of the Madrid Masters yesterday with a 6-4 3-6 6-3 over Ivan Ljubicic.
Henman, ranked 41 in the world, faces David Nalbandian later today hoping to reverse a trend which has seen him beat the Argentinian world number four just once – at Wimbledon in 2003 – in five meetings.
Murray believes the man whom he replaced as British number one has rediscovered some form.
“Obviously, Tim is starting to play much better. I think I said a few months ago I felt like Tim, if he starts playing like he was in practice, he’s for sure a top-20 player,” said Murray.
“He’s that good, and he gives guys problems all the time. It’s great that he’s playing well again.
“He’s not a number 40 player in the world. He’s better than that and I’m sure he’ll continue in this form and he’ll get his ranking back.”
The 19-year-old also felt both him and Henman doing well provided inspiration for other players from the home nations.
“It’s obviously good when you have British players winning,” he added.
“If we can have weeks where British guys are winning challenges and matches and winning matches in ATP tournaments it’s great for tennis.
“Last week Richard Bloomfield (a Norwich-born 23-year-old) made semi-finals in the Challenger Tournament (in Rennes). That wasn’t happening until maybe three or four months ago.
“Now you’ve got guys who are starting to win matches in Challengers.”
Murray’s reward for beating the world number three is a match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, ranked two places ahead of him in 17th.
“He’s obviously higher ranked than me and he’s playing really good tennis. I think it’s going to be close,” said Murray.
“I’d probably say he’s a slight favourite but if I play like I did today, it’s going to be really interesting.”
