British newspapers and former players insisted Tuesday that Andy Murray was destined for Grand Slam success despite losing in straight sets to Roger Federer in the US Open final. The tenacious Scot, 21, was the first British player to reach a Grand Slam final since Greg Rusedski at the 1997 US Open and was bidding to become the first British man to win a Grand Slam tournament since Fred Perry in 1936.
But even though he was beaten 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 on Monday by Swiss all-time great Federer, commentators were adamant that Murray's run to the final was the start of better things to come. "Andy has had many big breakthroughs and I think it is phenomenal how quickly his game is improving - he's up to four in the world now, so it's on to bigger and better things," said Tim Henman, Murray's predecessor as British number one.
"There are so many areas he can improve on. His backhand is as good as there is in the game and he can be a bit more aggressive on his forehand," he told the BBC. "I wouldn't have thought he'd waste any time worrying what other people think. Fortunately Andy is more focused on his own game and where he needs to improve.
"I really think he can go on to be number one and not just win a grand slam but win multiple grand slams - it is going to be fun to watch. "There are a lot of positives to take out of the defeat even though he would have been desperate to win his first grand slam.
"But the experience he has had over the fortnight - beating (Rafael) Nadal and getting to his first final - and now having lost it will motivate him to work even harder and next time he plays a slam in Australia he will believe he can go all the way and win it."
Rusedski backed Murray to become the world's best - if he can overcome the injuries which have dogged his career so far. "Andy will do more than me and Tim did," he told Sky Sports television. "Murray is the new number four in the world but he is only going to get better and better. I'm sure he will get to world number one. The future for him is Grand Slam finals.
"The only question - will he stay healthy enough? That's one of the most important things we need to consider." Live television coverage of the final in New York was broadcast late at night in Britain and Prime Minister Gordon Brown was among those watching, his spokesman told reporters.
"The prime minister's view is that Andy Murray played extremely well and the whole nation can be proud of him," the spokesman said. The Independent newspaper said British tennis was no longer just about Wimbledon and hailed Murray's efforts. "Regardless of last night's result at Flushing Meadows, can anyone doubt that it was already a phenomenal achievement for Andy Murray to have reached the final of the US Tennis Open?" the daily said in its editorial.
Public enthusiasm for Henman was genuine and abiding, but Murray "is simply a better player. Indeed, he is now unequivocally one of the best in the world. "Now that they have a genuine championship contender on their hands, one suspects that Britons will start to love Murray a little more." The Independent lamented that "the most significant match in the history of British tennis" since Perry's 1936 triumphs at Wimbledon and in New York was only available to view on a subscription channel.