ANDY MURRAY is bang on track to win a Grand Slam but lose a friend.
The Brit ace takes on Tomas Berdych today for a place in the US Open final, while old mate Novak Djokovic clashes with David Ferrer.
If the world rankings ring true, it will be the Scottish No 4 and the Serb No 2 who will contest the final Major of the year tomorrow.
Murray and Djokovic, born just a week apart in May 1987, go way back to the time when they were just two skinny teenagers dreaming of making the big-time.
But the reigning Flushing Meadows champion Djokovic has dramatically called an end to their old pals’ act.
In the build-up to epic clashes at the Aussie Open over the last couple of years both have openly talked about their closeness. They played football together and shared a joke. But no more.
Murray has become too dangerous since bagging Olympic gold last month — beating top seed and world No 1 Roger Federer in straight sets in the final.
He is pushing for that first Slam like never before and is desperate to go further than last year in New York when he lost the semi-final to Rafa Nadal.
Djokovic, 25, said: “Anybody who has played Andy knows how good he is. The question never was could he beat me, Roger and Rafa? It was just if he could in a final.
“So much of tennis is mental strength and I believe the Olympic win has brought Andy that.
“When I won Wimbledon in 2011, no player apart from Roger or Rafa had won the tournament since 2002. After that I got this self belief and things changed for me.
“The gold in London was great for Andy. I think he will use it as a springboard to now go and win majors.
“I can’t be friends with Andy, though. I really like the guy — but how can you go and be best friends with a guy who you know you are going to be doing battle with?
“It is true for myself, Roger, Rafa and now Andy. We like each other and there is mutual respect but common sense tells you we can’t be best friends and hang out.
“When we are all retired the four of us will go to a bar, drink too much beer and look back on all the great matches we’ve had.
“But, for now, we must keep a professional distance.
“I see us being very good friends in the future but the reason I can’t be friends with him now is a compliment. It means I now see him as a very real threat for this Grand Slam and many to come.”
For that, Murray’s coach Ivan Lendl must take some of the praise. Murray said: “When we first met in Florida at the pizza restaurant, we spoke about how to play against the top guys.
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