Mats Wilander backs Andy Murray to reach Australian Open or Wimbledon second week

• Tennis News

Former seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander would not be surprised at all if Andy Murray made the second week at the Australian Open. Murray, who reached his first final since 2019 last week, overcame world No. 23 Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1 3-6 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-4 to reach the Australian Open second round.

“Certainly the Australian Open and Wimbledon are the two Grand Slams where he has had his best success in my eyes, it’s where he will still have a chance to get to the second week,” Wilander told Eurosport.

“And why not in Melbourne? These hard courts are playing very quick. Murray is best on the fast surfaces, always has been, so yes there’s a good chance he can make the second week of a Grand Slam over the next 12 months."

'Murray is an outstanding problem-solver'

“He is one of the best problem-solvers I’ve ever seen on a tennis court.

It doesn’t matter who he is playing, he’ll play them the right way," Wilander continued. “When Murray is at his best, it’s more about the process and tactically playing correct. He’s good at not getting ahead of himself, and he can mess with your head.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, or what your ranking is, and especially these younger players who don’t have the experience, for them to play Murray is an absolute emotional nightmare”. Murray, 34, refused to quit the game after two hip surgeries.

Murray now has a great chance to make the Australian Open third round as he plays next Taro Daniel. "Andy Murray’s comeback is a big success to me. The fact he is back physically, being able to play for over four hours is incredible,” Wilander added.

“The fact he has had surgeries and he went down and he played in the lowest level of professional tennis to gain some match experience and some confidence – to then come back and play in front of thousands of people with the pressure that that brings and seem to enjoy it this way. The comeback is a huge success, it doesn’t matter where he ends up in the rankings."