Tim Henman has given his verdict on whether Andy Murray and Dan Evans can find some inspired tennis to earn a medal at the Paris Olympics.
Evans has been elected to partner Murray in his final tournament before drawing the curtain on a storied career that saw him win back-to-back golds in London and Rio as well as three grand slam titles and 46 ATP titles.
Henman and Murray made history at Roland Garros in May when they became the first non-French team to receive a wildcard into the men’s doubles draw since 2001.
However, their campaign was agonizingly short-lived as they fell at the first hurdle to Sebastian Baez and Thiago Seyboth Wild in two tie-break sets.
But they have a chance to re-write the script when they take on the Japanese pairing of Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori in the first round in Paris this weekend.
Tim Henman on Andy Murray and Dan Evans’ Olympic chances
Tim Henman is no stranger to success on the Olympics stage himself, having won silver in the men’s doubles at the 1996 Games in Atlanta with partner Neil Broad.
Andy Murray and Evans are looking to send the former off with a medal, and Henman has issued his thoughts on the possibility of them doing so.
Henman told talkSPORT: “I don’t really know Andy’s level of fitness. At Wimbledon when he played with Jamie he looked a little bit restricted but I think he still had stitches in his back, so I don’t think that’s a great surprise.
“But if he has improved and is moving a bit better than they have the ingredients of a great doubles team. They both serve and volley well, have a good understanding and rapport.
“So I think they have a good opportunity but whether they lose first round or not, I just think it’s great Andy has this opportunity.”
Can Murray and Evans take advantage of the draw?
The prospect of going out with a bang is a tantalizing one for Murray, who will wave goodbye to his playing career after the tournament.
But whether or not the duo can muster up the form to make it deep in the event is another question, especially when considering Murray’s fitness and their doubles experience together.
However Murray did withdraw from the singles draw on Wednesday evening in a bid to focus all of his efforts on the doubles, which is a telling sign that they won’t go down without a fight.
But if they are successful against the Japanese duo, things will become much more difficult for the Brits as doubles specialists Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen are lurking in their quarter along with number three seeds Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.
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