Cowan: hails sensational year

Where Andy has improved a lot is he's now taking control of a lot of his matches whereas two or three years ago he was more of a reactive player.

Barry Cowan
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Barry Cowan told Sky Sports News that Andy Murray's form is down to his new look coaching team.

Murray has dramatically risen up the world rankings after a brilliant summer and Cowan believes splitting with former coach Brad Gilbert has been a key factor.

Gilbert is one of the most respected tennis coaches in the world, however it came as no surprise when the pair parted ways with many citing the two men's strong personalities as the main reason.

After the split last November, the 21-year-old announced he would instead travel on the tour with a team of coaches and specialists, rather than one individual.

Cowan believes Murray's decision has been vindicated, after a summer in which he reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon and the final of the US Open.

"The decision was really made at the end of last year when he dispensed with Brad Gilbert," he told Sky Sports News. "Although Brad Gilbert is a fantastic coach there was a little clash of personalities.

"So Murray surrounded himself with a team of four, which was Miles Maclagan as coach, the two fitness trainers in Matt Little and Jez Green and the physio in Andy Ireland and he's worked incredibly hard on his fitness in the last eight or nine months so we all knew it was coming.

"I think we saw it at Wimbledon when he came from two sets to love down against Richard Gasquet to win that match in five and then at the US Open where he won six matches and looked so fresh."

Madrid

Next up for Murray is the Madrid Masters where he will face Italy's Simone Bolelli in his opening match after receiving a first-round bye.

A favourable draw means that Murray's passage through to the quarter-finals should be a comfortable one and Cowan is confident he can continue his good form.

"It's been a sensational year for Andy, he's certainly exceeded my expectations and I think he's certainly exceeded his own expectations, after doing so well at the US Open," he said.

"It's always difficult when you come into Madrid and you have a bye, but if he wins his first couple of matches I can really see him going all the way.

"Where Andy has improved a lot is he's now taking control of a lot of his matches whereas two or three years ago he was more of a reactive player.

"It's something he's worked really hard on and if you are going to beat the likes of Rafael Nadal like he did at the US Open, you have to take it to them."