Raducanu made for the fast pace of New York insists Murray

ANDY MURRAY believes Emma Raducanu has the game to stage a strong defence of her US Open title in New York.

The Scot also said Serena Williams’ final farewell at Flushing Meadows should be a “celebration” of her amazing career.

Ten years on from Murray’s first Grand Slam triumph, two of the big storylines going into the final Major of the season are Raducanu’s new-found form and the last dance of Williams.

The 19-year-old, below, who will start against Alize Cornet, showed the fearless attacking play that took her to a shock victory last year while thrashing the American superstar 6-4 6-0 in Cincinnati last week.The US Open uses different, lighter Wilson balls for the women’s competition and build-up events.

Murray, who will face No.24 seed Francisco Cerundolo in the first round, said: “She played really well last week. I saw most of the match against Serena and then the one against Jessica Pegula. Even though she lost that one she is playing much better.

“The balls they use over here help a lot, they are a lot lighter. That allows her to get more on her shots, on her serves, she seems like she enjoyed the conditions last week. I’d imagine with it being quick here in New York she will enjoy them. I’d expect her to play well.”

Williams, who turns 41 next month, will make a final attempt to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles but the world No.608 has won only one match in 14 months.

Murray said: “What she achieves at the US Open doesn’t feel like part of the storyline to me. She has hardly played in the last few years. Expectations on her run should be very low.The celebrations of her career should be really, really high. She will probably want this week to be about everything she has achieved, more of a celebration rather than being really upset.

“Her andVenus have had a massive impact on the sport. They had Oscar-winning movies made about their careers. She is much bigger than tennis, she is a proper global sports superstar. She will go down as the greatest female player of all time.”

● Andy Murray is wearing The Drive Collection from his signature AMC range during this year’s US Open, created to deliver a new standard in tennis performance clothing. View the kit at www.castore. com/ collections/

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The balls are lighter... she enjoys the conditions