Murray in the Meadows mix

Murray spent the first part of January putting himself through enormous mental and physical challenges in Florida and is now reaping the rewards, with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Argentine Sergio Roitman at Flushing Meadows yesterday confirming the No6 seed as a real threat on these hard courts.

The Scot believes the physical work has created a "no excuses, no worries" attitude that has seen him reach a career high world ranking and emerge as a serious contender for a first Grand Slam title here in New York.

He said: "In the past, I felt nervous coming into the bigger tournaments but now that I have started to work really hard off the court I am going into the matches with no excuses, no worries. This year is the first time I have felt really good going on the court physically. It's nice to sort of show that you're in great shape, because it sends a message out to the other players.

"You just go on the court and play tennis, and that's one of the few things that I am good at, and it's worked out much better for me this year. It's a complete waste of time going on the court and finding reasons why you might lose the match.

"You just go out there and fight for every single point or else it's a complete waste of time, putting the work in if you're not going to use it out on the court."

Llodra, the World No38, earned his second-round clash with Murray by accounting for Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 and then revealed the British No1's magnificent win over Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon had changed his perceptions of the Scot.

Having seen his fellow Frenchman lose after taking a two-set lead, Llodra acknowledges that Murray really is a different animal in 2008 - one to be respected and even feared.

However Llodra, a doubles expert and committed serve and volleyer, is hoping to cause Murray problems tomorrow in New York and said: "I saw his match against Richard at Wimbledon, and I was impressed. He plays a lot of good rallies, and it's going to be tough for sure.

"But, I think, I have some good strokes to disturb him and we will see what happens."

Murray's draw offers him the chance to go deep into the second week and the first higher seeded player he would meet is Dave Ferrer of Spain in the quarter-finals. With Rafael Nadal last night admitting he is feeling jaded after winning the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympic singles title, and Roger Federer still without a Slam this year, Murray knows he is in the title mix.

"There's obviously quite a few guys that have the potential to win the title," admitted Murray.

"I would still say Federer is one of the favourites, but in terms of being unbeatable, I think that's the mindset that isn't great if you're going on the court against him.

"I am sure it's been tougher for Roger this year than it has in the past, because he's lost to players that he's beaten four, five, six times a row.

"It happens in all sports, when someone sets the bar that high over four or five years, then other guys have caught up and realised that's the level they're going to have to get to.

"I still think Federer is playing great tennis, but I think the mindset of the other players has changed because he's lost more this year than he has in the past.

"I think that since I first came on the Tour, I have learned that your talent can get you to a certain level. Now, I have really stepped up my workload off the court, started travelling with a fitness trainer, and I think that's the big difference in my game. It's the reason why I have the potential to come through and win a Slam."

And what about Llodra, the man who was part of the French doubles team that knocked Andy and Jamie Murray out of the Olympic tournament?

"Llodra is really talented," he added. "He played really well at the start of the year and hasn't had too much success lately, but is a tricky, serve volley, lefty.

"I played him once before in Metz and won quite comfortably, but I think he's playing a bit better than he was when I beat him."