IT would be easy for Andy Murray to let his thoughts run ahead to what lies in store.
Certainly, if the formbook is to be trusted, the Scot and his old Serbian adversary Novak Djokovic will meet in the semi-finals of the US Open next weekend.
Only a fool would bet against a repeat of last year's Flushing Meadows final in the last four this time around. Both have begun their campaigns in typically assured, determined fashion.
Yes, Murray was pegged back by the free-hitting Leonardo Mayer on Friday night, becoming the first of the big guns to drop a set in his 7-5, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, victory.
Yet what the Scot had produced up to that point - showing nerve and steel to repel the Argentine in a close first set before producing a masterclass in how to rip an opponent's game apart in the second, all the while serving like a dream - gave him more than enough breathing space.
Djokovic, for his part, was made to sweat by a combination of Benjamin Becker and the wind on Arthur Ashe Court, the world No 1 being taken to a first set tie-break, but order was soon restored and he eased home.
One man, though, who refuses to see another meeting with the Serb as something to be taken for granted is Murray himself. The Scot always snarls at the suggestion of "easy draws" or the notion that anyone outside the top 10 can simply be swatted aside.
Mayer, the world 81, proved that out on the hot and humid Louis Armstrong court on Friday. His namesake Florian of Germany, an unorthodox right hander with a penchant for mixing up his strokes unlike the baseline bashing of the Argentine, is next in line for the Wimbledon champion.
And while scorelines may suggest the likes of Murray, Djokovic et al are in a constant state of cruise control, the reality is anything but. "Coming up against Novak is not something to think about just now," said Murray. "Everybody saw what happened to me at Wimbledon, I went from having the toughest draw to [claims that] if I didn't win the title it would be my only chance. Novak and I could both lose in the next round, that's possible."
The pair were born just a week apart and spent their formative years together in Spain, starting on their roads to stardom together. Djokovic has gone on record to insist he can no longer have a close friendship with the Scot. Their rivalry is too intense. There's no time to be all chummy.That can wait until those tennis shoes are hung up for good.
There have certainly been no chinwags about the two Grand Slam finals Murray has won, leaving the Serb warrior crestfallen. "We haven't spoken about Wimbledon," Murray said. "I spoke to him quite a bit in Canada [last month]. I was obviously in the doubles and hanging around a fair bit. He was there so I spoke to him. But with Roger, Rafa or Novak, I've never discussed a match I have played against them. It would be nice if we could speak about them when we are finished but I don't want to give anything away right now."
Their coming together once again, whatever the Scot says, does have a predictability about it, such is the gap between the very best and the rest. On the green grass of Wimbledon, the conditions and their inconsistency can spring shocks. In New York, on the whole you know what you are going to get. Whatever the outcome, the reigning US Open and SW19 champion's maturity will ensure he is ready. "When you are in tricky positions, it's important to remember your opponent may get nervous. Tighten up a little bit. If you can keep as many balls in play as possible there's a chance you can make some errors and they will start rushing," Murray said. "So I'm not thinking, yes I'm Wimbledon and US Open champion when I'm on the court. I'm thinking more about my opponent's feelings because I've been in that position before."
A week into the tournament, Murray is looking good. Coming through on Friday night would have given him real satisfaction. The Scot hates the Louis Armstrong Court - expect him to do a small jig of joy when it is knocked down as part of Flushings' renovation plans - having suffered some awful moments there down the years.
Physically, too, he looks fine. The last time the German came into contact with Dunblane's finest, in Madrid this year for a match Murray won after two tight tie-breaks, the back problem which forced him out of the French Open was flaring up.
"It got progressively worse - and that match with Mayer and the Gilles Simone one were tricky matches," the world No 3 said. "It's something that I have to deal with, like all the players do. You understand how to deal with problems and monitor them and do all the right injury preventative stuff to protect any issues as much as possible."
Meanwhile, the queues of New Yorkers snaking around the corners desperate to get a glimpse of Murray last week show just what a box-office attraction he is right now. Eurosport analyst and seven-time major winner Mats Wilander reveals why.
"I think he'll win another five or six Grand Slams. When Murray is keyed up, in my view, he's the best player in the world. He has the complete package, " said the Swede.
Nice words but Murray won't take notice. All that matters today is Florian Mayer. The adulations and warm words can wait for another day.
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