ANDY MURRAY WILL STAY STRONG

ANDY MURRAY will prove ;he can handle the Wimbledon pressure like no British tennis player before him.

That is the view of American big-hitter James Blake as Murray, 22, prepares to launch his Wimbledon campaign against Robert Kendrick tomorrow.

Blake, 29, believes Murray's relationship with his trainers, coaches and advisors - collectively known as Team Murray - will prevent him choking on the big stage.

He said: "Andy has really proven himself over the last 12 months and has earned all the pressure and expectations that are on him right now.

"That pressure is incredible over here but one of the best things Andy has going for him is the team around him. People like Miles Maclagan and Jez Green are great guys who keep him grounded and - more importantly - keep him having fun.

"They make light of whatever is said about Andy's amazing progress. They just simply do their job but have a good time together at the same time. It's the best way for a young guy like him to cope with everything."

With champion Rafael Nadal ruled out of the tournament next week, the British public will be talking up Murray's chances of victory.

But Blake, who lost to Murray in the Queen's final last weekend, believes he is only third favourite for the crown.

Blake, a Dunlop brand ambassador, said: "Roger Federer is obviously the favourite. He's played so well this surface for so many years now and coming off the back of the French Open win he's in a great position.

"But I think Andy Roddick is the man to watch. He's playing great tennis and you wouldn't believe just how much this tournament means to him. He sees it as the icing on the cake as far as his career is concerned. "

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