Pat Cash believes Andy Murray can mount serious Wimbledon title bid

Expectations surrounding Murray have dipped following a dismal run of form which has seen the Scot lose nine out of the 20 matches he has played since reaching the Australian Open final in January.

Murray will also go into the tournament having crashed out at the third round of the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club, where he wore heavy strapping to protect a knee injury.

The world number four, who reached the semi-finals at the tournament last year before losing to Andy Roddick, will play Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition match today in a bid to improve his form on grass.

Cash admits Murray will have to step up his game if he is to challenge Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the men's singles crown, but denies his form will be an issue when he steps out at SW19 with home support behind him.

"I think Andy has the game to win it," said Cash. "We can't always be in form all the time.

He's not in the best of form, but when he gets on centre court with the crowd behind him he will be a damaging player, no doubt about it.

"We'll just have to wait to see how it goes over the next couple of weeks to see if he can hit top form.

"Most people think Andy has the ability to win a slam. He has got to a couple of finals and has been beaten by Federer which is not a bad thing by any means.

"He'll have to take that extra step and pick it up a bit if he is going to beat the likes of Roger and Rafa but he's not far behind them.

"It'll only be a matter of time before he does break through and win one."

Judy Murray denied earlier this week her son's right knee problems, which stem from a split patella he was born with, would hinder his chances of winning his first grand slam.

World number one Nadal survived an injury scare to his knee before beating Federer to the title in 2008 and Cash is confident Murray will also be able to overcome his current injury problems.

"Ideally you don't want to be carrying injuries into the tournament, but the thing with tennis is that it is a year-round circuit so you expect it to happen," the 45-year- old said.

"You get very little time off so somehow you have to nurse these injuries during the tournament.

"Nadal has done it over the years and Andy will have to do that as well.

"Sometimes it's a blessing in disguise."

Murray was handed the number four seed yesterday, which makes it likely the Dunblane-born youngster will have to beat defending champion and number one seed Federer to reach the final.

Cash, who beat Ivan Lendl to win the men's singles in 1987, believes Nadal will be the man to beat after the Spaniard made a full recovery from the knee injury which ruled him out of last year's Wimbledon.

"It's hard not to say that Roger Federer shouldn't be number one having won it so many times, but I'd say that Nadal is the favourite," said the Australian.

"Rafa is over his injuries now. He had a dodgy year last year and he has the ability to come back and improve his game. Last year he was being dominated by a lot of players and that's not the case now."

Serena Williams and Venus Williams have been seeded one and two respectively for the women's singles draw, meaning they could meet in the final for the fifth time.

Cash believes Serena Williams, who won the Australia Open earlier this year, will successfully defend her 2009 title at SW19.

"In the girls draw, it's hard to look past the Williams sisters and I think Serena's the favourite out of those two," said the Australian.

"Justine Henin is looking for that elusive title she hasn't won yet so she'll be keen, but I don't think she'll be able to do it."