Andy Murray geared up for US Open challenge

Andy Murray begins his US Open campaign on Wednesday hoping to finally win his maiden Grand Slam. Murray got to the final at Flushing Meadow in 2008, beating Rafa Nadal along the way, but was brushed aside by Roger Federer.

But Murray is in good spirits this year and is hotly tipped for success after he beat both Nadal and Federer earlier this month on his way to winning the Toronto Masters tournament.

That was the first time that Murray had beaten Federer in the final of a tournament and the Scot is hopeful that if he needs to he will be able to repeat the feat. The 23-year-old said that his achievement in beating the two biggest names in tennis in back-to-back matches had given him a boost. "It definitely helped, it was good for the confidence," he said.

Murray also enjoys playing at the tournament New York, which has a very different atmosphere to Wimbledon. Not only does he like the city he also prefers the hard courts, which suit his game better than the grass of Wimbledon.

"I've been playing on hard courts since I was seven or eight years old, so it's the surface I feel most comfortable on," he said.

Murray also appears to have taken a leaf or two out of Federer's book in the run-up to the US Open. He is currently without a coach - an issue he will address after the tournament - and has dipped his toe in the murky waters of fashion after modelling for Mario Testino in American Vogue.

However, Murray has twice lost to Federer in Grand Slam finals and knows that the Swiss master, now ranked a lowly number three in the world, reserves his best tennis for the big occasions.

Federer's record at the US Open is almost as formidable as it is at Wimbledon. He has lost just once since 2004.

And after his tribulations at Wimbledon, where he almost went out in the first round, Federer was in complete control as he brushed Argentina's Brian Dabul aside 6-1 6-4 6-2 on Monday night.

In contrast to Murray's preference for hard courts the conditions do not suit the world number one Nadal, and he has never reached the final in seven attempts.

Assuming Murray survives his opening round match against Lukas Lacko he will not be the only Briton in the second round. In the ladies draw Elena Baltacha beat Petra Martic, who knocked her out of Wimbledon, 6-2, 6-2. ·