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Rivalry renewed

US Open
Image: Rusedski: says Federer v Murray will be a classic if it comes to pass

Andy Murray will claim his first Major title if he can beat Roger Federer at the US Open, says Greg Rusedski.

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Murray v Federer showdown will decide US Open, says Greg

Andy Murray will finally claim an elusive first Major title at the US Open, if he can overcome tournament favourite and major nemesis Roger Federer, according to Sky Sports' Greg Rusedski. The British No 1 has a difficult draw but Rusedski expects him to progress to the semi-finals where he appears destined to renew his rivalry with the world No 1. Federer has defeated Murray in three Grand Slam finals including the final of Wimbledon this year. But the Brit still holds a 9-8 overall win record over Federer and beat him in the final of the London 2012 Games to claim the Olympic gold medal that Federer so craved. Rusedski has tipped Federer as the favourite for the tournament following his win at the Cincinnati Masters but he believes Murray will go on to break his Major duck if he can draw on the confidence he gained at the Olympics and prevail in the potential last-four clash between the pair. "Expect Murray to get into the semis," Rusedski told Sky Sports. "Yes, he has got a tough section but it will come down to that match with Roger Federer as to whether he will win this tournament. "If he can get through the semis, I think he is going to win his first major. But that is a big ask right now because Federer is the clear favourite for the event having won in Cincinnati, having won at Wimbledon and just looks really, really good. "So if Murray is like at the Olympics it could be a possibility."

Pressure

Murray crushed Federer in the Olympic final at Wimbledon and Rusedski believes he revelled in being part of a bigger narrative of British success - given the host nations' record medal haul - rather than being the sole focus of the nations' hopes and expectations. And if he can take that mentality into the US Open, and overcome Federer in the semi-final, Rusedski is confident he will go on to take the US Open title. "Yes, it (the Olympics) means a step forward to winning his first Grand Slam but mentally he has to stay the same was as at the Olympics where he didn't really feel much pressure," Rusedski said. "He enjoyed himself. He went after it and he wasn't the main focus because of all the other athletes doing well from Great Britain. So he has to get that sort of thing just right. "If you look at Federer, he is going to be disappointed about losing that Olympic final. Federer and Murray semi-final is going to be tremendous and if Andy could win that one I think he will win his first Major." For full details on Sky Sports' US Open coverage click here.

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