Friday 15 January 2016 14:47, UK
Andy Murray has received a favourable draw at the Australian Open, says Barry Cowan.
The second seed will face German teenager Alexander Zverev in the first round, is in the opposite half to Roger Federer and cannot face Rafael Nadal until the semi-finals.
If the draw goes according to seedings, Murray must still find a way past the dominant Novak Djokovic in the final, but Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan believes he will be 'fairly happy'.
"I think if you look at the seeds around him, he's got a pretty favourable draw. I actually think his first-round match is very interesting. Alexander Zverev is going to be a star for the future.
"Looking at the draw overall, I think Andy will be fairly happy. Once you get to the semis, whether it's Nadal or [Stan] Wawrinka, those are two players who have caused him problems.
Looking at the draw overall, I think Andy will be fairly happy.
"But the fact that he's in [David] Ferrer's quarter, the way Andy has been playing in the last year, he very aggressive. He seems a lot more comfortable playing Ferrer now than he did earlier on in his career.
"John Isner is always capable of making life difficult, but Isner is also capable of going the distance early on against a lower-ranked opponent and running out of steam."
If Murray, who has finished as runner-up on four occasions, makes a repeat run to the final then he could renew his rivalry with Djokovic, and Cowan feels the Scot will still be physically ready for a gruelling closing match.
"I think that is key, because you're going to have to go deep against him and you know it's the final match," said Cowan.
"The last thing you want to do is play Djokovic in a semi and then have to play Federer in a final. That was the key to being seeded two."
