Rusedski eases through and hails emergence of new ace Murray
The 32-year-old, who has won 15 tournaments in his career including the French Masters Series in 1998, is happy at Murray’s emergence and believes he will become the new star of British tennis in the next few years.
“I think Tim [Henman] and I have been waiting for this for a decade... finally to see someone who I believe is the real deal and has proven himself already in the Grand Slams and on the tour,” said Rusedski, who could finish the season as Britain’s number one if he beats Russian third seed Nikolay Davydenko tomorrow.
“He has consistently won matches against very good players and he can only get better,” Rusedski added.
“[John] McEnroe sees him in the top 20, I see him getting into the top 50 and then the top 20.
“He’s got a great mindset, his game is very well suited for the way tennis is played nowadays with his return of serve and groundstroke game.”
Rusedski also believes Murray could become one of the best-known sportsmen in the world thanks to his charismatic behaviour on court.
“Ten years ago when Tim and I came out on the scene, it brought a new excitement,” added Rusedski.
“We had a lot of journalists travelling with us and he is doing the same. He is young, he is a little brash on the court and does not really mind what he does out there and finds any which way to win.”
Rusedski beat qualifier Andreas Seppi of Italy in straight sets in the first round of the Paris Masters, winning 6-3 6-4 in just over an hour in Bercy.
“I was really pleased with the way I played,” he said.
“I thought the first set was really, really good, especially getting that early break and winning 6-3 convincingly.
“I then played a little bit of an average service game and he came up with two really good shots, but I broke back straightaway, which was the key. Once I got that break back I was the one having all the chances from there on in.”
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