A new year brings another false hope for British tennis. The failure of Laura Robson to make the main draw at the Australian Open may be a blessing – placing a little deserved spotlight on Elena Baltacha and Katie O’Brien – but British eyes will, from early tomorrow morning, mainly be focussing on Andy Murray.
The Scot may need to beat Nadal, Del Potro and Federer to break his Grand Slam duck (as well as that of any Brit born since the 2nd World War), and bearing in mind that the trio currently hold all four titles between them, it would be quite some feat. With the Beeb having blanket coverage of all his games (they are during the night, so no serious scheduling clashes), expect there to be more hyperbole than at the superbowl, with plenty of chat about his likely success for the next week or so.
A note of caution. Murray may be on top form, and for once has had a brief rest before a tournament, but he’s never previously been past the fourth round at Melbourne Park. Hold your horses, put away those Union Jacks, and don’t even consider investigating that cupboard that now has the Christmas decs on top of the tennis racquet. At least not until the semi.