Mummy's boy Istomin in Murray's way as Brit bids to book quarter-final place

By Mike Dickson for the Daily Mail

Published: 23:14 BST, 2 September 2013 | Updated: 02:55 BST, 3 September 2013









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The key role Andy Murray's mother played in turning him into a tennis player is well known, but her involvement pales against the woman who has produced his next opponent at the US Open.

Denis Istomin's mother, Klaudiya, not only developed him, she has continued to coach him all the way into adulthood and will be in his corner for today's fourth-round clash against the defending champion.

Judy Murray remains a key figure in her son's career, too, but these days she takes a back seat in his coaching, leaving that to the team headed by Ivan Lendl. She is quite busy here anyway because her other son, Jamie, is into the quarter-finals of the men's doubles with his Australian partner John Peers, his career back on an upward trajectory.



Family chat: Judy (right) speaks with son Andy during his practice session at Flushing Meadows



Colin Fleming and Johnny Marray were due to play in the last eight against the formidable Bryan brothers, while Middlesex's Dom Inglot joined them there with his Filipino partner Treat Huey, beating the No 3 seeds Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez 7-6, 6-0.

The ‘Murray bounce' since Wimbledon has clearly cut across singles and doubles, and the defending singles champion will be confident he can keep his end of things going against world No 65 Istomin.
Istomin's maternal coaching set-up is highly unusual in the men's game and, while doing  little to cultivate a macho image, he feels it makes perfect sense.

‘She knows me since the day I was born, obviously, so can understand me,' said the softly spoken Uzbek. ‘Sometimes  she shouts at me and normally she is right.



Shady slice: Klaudena Sitzkissen kaufen Istomin is Murray's fourth-round opponent



‘It's tough that she can't come into the locker room to talk to me like other coaches, so I always have to go outside before matches.'

Murray, who was tracking the transfer deadline and the activities of his favourite English club, Arsenal, has never sought to hide his own mother's influence on his tennis.

In fact, one day when he is approaching the twilight of his playing days, he might even emulate Istomin by employing her. ‘I wouldn't rule it out,' he said. ‘Maybe when I start to come to the end of my career it might be something that would be nice to do.'



Under the lights: Murray practised with coach Ivan Lendl ahead of his fourth-round match





Power: Murray hits a serve as coaching assistant Dani Vallverdu looks on



All black: Murray prepares ahead of his night match against Istomin







Judy's strength is breaking down opponents tactically. It is clear in the way Andy's mind works how this has been passed on and she is considered so good at it that Davis Cup captain Leon Smith has used her as part of his back-up team to do that.

Andy said: ‘Tactically she is very good. She scouts a lot of matches and likes to watch videos of other players.'

She will know Istomin hits flat groundstrokes and has a decent serve but he ought not to stop  Murray, having been stretched to five sets on Sunday by Italy's Andreas Seppi. The first big test for Murray is more likely to come in Thursday's quarter-final, against either Tomas Berdych or Stanislas Wawrinka.



Scout: Judy (right) is a strong tactician



The first week at the US Open has not mirrored Wimbledon in terms of shocks, but that is  usually the way on hard courts.

If Murray applied himself to doubles he would surely excel, but he is only Britain's seventh-ranked player in the two-man code. Helped by the Lawn Tennis Association employing the world's leading doubles coach, Canadian Louis Cayer, Britain has seven players in the top 100 led by Fleming at 21, and that has been reflected in this event.



On form: Jamie Murray (left) has reached his first Grand Slam men's doubles quarter-final with John Peers







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