US OPEN
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Date: 31 August – 13 September
BBC coverage: Live text commentaries on the website from 1600 BST each day, regular updates on 5 live, full commentary on 5 live sports extra in week two, both finals on 5 live, tennis special on 5 live (3 September, 2000-2100 BST)

Andy Murray has been backed to go one better and win this year’s US Open by former British number one Tim Henman.

Murray, 22, was beaten by Roger Federer in his first Grand Slam final last year at Flushing Meadows and begins his quest against Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

"Federer is the favourite," Henman told BBC’s Sportsweek ahead of the year’s final Grand Slam starting on Monday.

"But Murray’s number two now – I think he can get back to the final and go one stage further."

Henman, who reached the semi-finals at the US Open in 2004, believes Murray needs to show he can dictate matters on court against the top-ranked players in order to realise his dream.

"I think the more pro-active he is, the better he plays," added the 34-year-old.

"Because he’s so solid and moves well, sometimes I feel he thinks he just needs to keep the ball in play, move and hit his strokes to beat these guys.

"But if he can be more aggressive against the best – Federer and Rafael Nadal – then he can dominate and make his opponent do the running. He has the technique to do that."

Since reaching last year’s final, Murray has won seven tournaments, taking his career tally to 13, and climbed from number six to number two in the world.

He has also matched his best performance at the Australian Open in reaching the fourth round and improved on his previous bests at the French Open and Wimbledon, where he made the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.

"One of the few things that I want to do now in tennis is to win a Slam," said the Scot.

"It’s something that’s incredibly difficult to do but something I believe is possible.

606: DEBATE
Who will win the US Open title

"I think a lot of players say when they win their first Slam it’s sort of a relief because it’s so much hard work that you put into it. I’m hoping I can do it here."

The presence of Federer, who is chasing a record-equalling sixth successive US Open title, and Nadal – who Murray beat in the semi-finals last year and is seeded to meet at the same stage again – means Murray assesses success in the Slams differently.

"You’ve got the two of the best players ever playing just now so it’s a little bit disrespectful to the other players to view it as being a failure not to get to the final," he added.

"I’ll be disappointed, for sure, because I want to try and win every tournament I play in.

"But I think I have a good enough understanding of tennis that you can still have a good Slam and not win it."

Nadal, who could not defend his Wimbledon title because of a knee injury, has dropped from world number one to three and begins his campaign against Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

Federer, who usurped Nadal to take the top spot in July, is in the other half of the draw and will begin his title defence against 18-year-old American Devin Britton in the second match at the Arthur Ashe stadium on Monday.

"I feel like I am actually playing some of the best tennis I have ever played in my career"

Defending women’s champion Serena Williams

The Swiss star has not lost a US Open match since the fourth round in 2003 but insists he will not take his novice opponent lightly as he bids to equal the six straight titles of American Bill Tilden in the 1920s.

"Doesn’t matter who you play, where you play – if you think the guy is not going to make a game that’s absurd," Federer said.

"That’s how tennis is. You have to be very careful. I have to make sure I put in a good performance."

In the other highlight on the opening day of the men’s competition, Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick faces plays German Bjorn Phau.

On the women’s side, defending champion and second seed Serena Williams begins her quest for her fourth US Open title against compatriot Alaxa Glatch – the third match at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"It’s shocking to think that it was 10 years ago," Williams said of her first US Open title.

"I just feel like I am really excited to still be playing top-level tennis 10 years later, which is just really awesome.

"I feel like I am actually playing some of the best tennis I have ever played in my career."

"I like playing here. Staying in downtown Manhattan you always have shopping. If you make some cash you can go spend some"

Dinara Safina

The following match in the main arena sees her sister and third seed Venus Williams, who won the last of her two US Open titles in 2001, up against Russian Vera Dushevina.

World number one and last year’s runner-up Dinara Safina faces Australian Olivia Rogowska in her first-round match.

Safina is optimistic about her prospects of another good run at this year’s event.

"I always had good results here," said the Russian, who has yet to win a Grand Slam.

"I like playing here. Staying in downtown Manhattan you always have shopping. If you make some cash you can go spend some."

Former world number one Kim Clijsters, making her first US Open appearance since winning the 2005 title, opens play at the Arthur Ashe Stadium against Ukraine’s Viktoria Kutuzova.

Clijsters, 26, received a wildcard for her first Grand Slam tournament since returning from a two-year break, during which time she got married and had her first child.

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