Murray would miss Australian final for child’s birth

He has been runner-up four times, in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015.

Murray cruised to victory over France’s Kenny de Schepper at the Hopman Cup on Monday night, just over a month after leading Great Britain to their first Davis Cup triumph in 79 years.

The British No1 is now Down Under as he prepares for the first grand slam of the year at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

“I got a couple of scratch marks on the back there but, yeah, it was nice”, Murray is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. Murray knows he doesn’t have to worry about Novak Djokovic until the final, should both men get there.

With Murray only working with Watson for the month, the short-term coaching moves are becoming more popular since coaches are more willing to try out coaching jobs on a trial basis. The mixed-team competition, in which the Scot will be representing Britain in partnership with Heather Watson, is classified as an exhibition event, with no ranking points on offer, but Murray believes it provides ideal preparation for the Australian Open.

He couldn’t get past the giant South African Kevin Anderson in NY, however, and so failed to make a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time in five years. He was instantly mobbed by his brother Jamie and the rest of his teammates in celebration of Britain’s finest hour in the Davis Cup since Fred Perry et al in 1936.

De Schepper, who stepped in to partner Garcia when original choice Gael Monfils pulled out due to injury, is a bit out of his depth in Hopman Cup singles.