American Pete Sampras has backed Andy Murray to retain the US Open next month, but does not believe that the defending champion will dominate tennis in the same way he and Roger Federer have done.
Murray won his second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July, becoming the first British man to do so in 77 years, and has established himself as the world number two in the ATP rankings.
Fourteen-time Major winner Sampras has labelled Murray as the favourite for the tournament at Flushing Meadows, but believes that there is too much competition in the modern game for anybody to match his haul of Slam victories.
He told reporters: "This was Andy's time at Wimbledon. It was Andy's event to go and get and he did it. He's definitely the man to beat at the US Open. I think the biggest thing for me is Murray in the past 12 months has just stepped up.
"Roger and myself, our game on grass was so dominant. I think Murray can win some more and Novak Djokovic, but I don't think that dominant game is out there that's going to win it seven times. But I could be wrong."
Leading bookmaker William Hill have Murray as the 15/8 second favourite for the US Open, with Djokovic slightly favoured at odds of 7/4.
Joe Fish
