Monday 11 May 2015 08:50, UK
Andy Murray produced a tactical masterclass to beat Rafael Nadal in the final of the Madrid Masters, says Greg Rusedski.
The 27-year-old Scot had played 37 clay court tournaments before heading to Munich last week without winning any and now Murray has claimed two tournament wins in the space of six days.
Murray destroyed 'King of Clay' Nadal in the Spanish capital with a perfect display of tennis on the red dirt to land his first Masters Series against arguably the greatest clay court player of a generation.
"Murray was absolutely sensational," Rusedski told Sky Sports 3. "I think it's the best clay court match I think I've ever seen him play and to do it against Nadal - one of the greats of the game - if not the greatest clay-courter ever in the sport, it must give him so much confidence going into the French Open."
After defeat to world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open and Miami Masters, there were questions marks over Murray's physicality, but Rusedski feels he has proven the critics wrong.
"He's proved us wrong all over again with back-to-back wins. Winning in Munich - the final was on Monday - and then winning again here in Madrid just shows what a great champion he is and what a great winner he is and how he deals with adversity," said the 1997 US Open finalist.
"I think Jonas Bjorkman has made a big, big difference in keeping that positivity and we saw his coach Amelie Mauresmo - who announced just a couple of weeks ago that she's pregnant - she's down by courtside, so there is a strong bond with that team."
I think it's the best clay court match I think I've ever seen him play and to do it against Nadal - one of the greats of the game - if not the greatest clay-courter ever in the sport, it must give him so much confidence going into the French Open.
French fancy
Murray's back problems on clay used to be a big concern, but Rusedski now thinks the Scot is in the prime of his life and could possibly win the French Open.
"Novak Djokovic has to go down as the favourite, but Murray has to be second favourite because Rafa is struggling and (Roger) Federer went out early."
Rusedski also felt the world No 3 got it tactically spot on, having changed his game to adapt to the surface on which he has struggled in the past.
"When we were at the O2 at the end of the season, we were talking about his service toss, it was a little bit too far to one side so he'd hit all those slices," he said.
"Now you can see with the second serve, he's tossing it behind and using the kick. I thought he was tactically absolutely brilliant going into the middle of the box with that heavy kick which pushed Rafa back and allowed him not to have any angle out there.
"Not only is he serving better and his back is better but tactically he's being able to do all the things that he wants to do out there and when you have an injury you're a little bit limited with your options out there and now he has no limitations and he has a belief.
"We always said 'why doesn't Murray do better on clay. Yes he's made many semi-finals, but hasn't won any tournaments,' so going to Munich was a master step to give him this confidence.
"What Murray did tactically so well was to keep the ball into the backhand and then go quickly into the forehand side and never allow him to hit two or three forehands in a row because if he does that then you're in trouble."
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