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 The world number three oozed confidence as he tamed big-serving
South African Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4 to win a fourth title at
Queen's Club on Sunday.
That followed a semi-final run at the French Open where he lost
narrowly to Novak Djokovic and stunning play on clay where he
claimed titles in Munich and Madrid.
While Roger Federer also warmed up for Wimbledon with yet another
Halle title on Sunday and Rafa Nadal won a grasscourt title in
Stuttgart last week, Murray is emerging as the man to beat when
Wimbledon starts on June 29.
"You know, sport and life and everything moves on. If you don't
continue to improve and get better, there is going to be people that
will take your spot," Murray told reporters when asked how his game
stacks up against the 2013 version when he became the first British
man to win Wimbledon for 77 years.
"I feel like I have improved. Physically I'm definitely in a better
place than I was then. Obviously I was having problems with my back
around that time."
Anderson had bulldozed his way through the draw at Queen's using his
serve as a weapon of mass destruction.
But Murray was undaunted, breaking serve once in each set.
With Swedish nine-times grand slam doubles champion Jonas Bjorkman
now part of his coaching team as main coach Amelie Mauresmo prepares
to become a mother, Murray seems completely at ease, on and off the
court.
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Former world number one Mauresmo was known for her flair, as was
Bjorkman, and they appear to be the perfect compliment for Murray
and his vast array of skills.
His second serve, sometimes a hindrance, has improved markedly while
the power and accuracy he is generating from the baseline allows his
to dominate opponents from the back.
"I feel like I'm using my variety very well just now, something that
maybe I wasn't the last couple of years. That's been good for me,"
Murray said.
"It's been a really good start, but, you know, it's a long way to go
before Wimbledon even starts, and then all sorts of things can
happen during slams."
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Gene Cherry)
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