Gilbert effect already rubbing off on Murray

LONDON, Aug 7 (Reuters) The early morning wake-up calls have yet to start but Brad Gilbert already seems to be having the desired effect on British tennis hope Andy Murray.

The bony 19-year-old marked his first week under the tutelage of the workaholic American coach by reaching his third ATP final in Washington and moving up to a career-high 31st in the rankings.

Murray's 7-6 6-2 defeat by Frenchman Arnaud Clement yesterday brought a sore end to a week in which he displayed all the raw materials Gilbert has been hired to hone.

The hand blisters with which Murray finished the final were badges of progress after four successive straight sets wins in sweltering conditions that are likely to be replicated at the US Open which starts in three weeks' time.

Despite barely having had time to get to know his protege, Gilbert has already begun to exact a positive influence on the Briton's mental approach.

''My game isn't that much better yet but I'm gaining confidence,'' the Scot said.

That was evident in the focused manner of his wins en route to the final but Murray's teenage tendency of allowing frustration to blur his focus returned against Clement.

LOWER RANKED On the face of it, Murray could have expected to beat the talented but erratic Frenchman who is 12 places below him in the rankings.

Murray refused to blame his blisters for the way he fell away after being edged out in the first set tiebreak but durability (Murray is sensitive to criticism of his fitness) remains the teenager's most pressing issue.

Despite the tendency of his home fans to concentrate on his chances of winning on the Wimbledon grass and an upbringing spent predominantly on Spanish clay, hard court is Murray's best surface.

His maiden ATP title at San Jose this year and his two ATP final appearances, in Thailand last year and in Washington yesterday, were all on hard.

So too is the US Open, where Murray infamously threw up last year on court and where any genuine title contender will need to be able to string together consecutive five-set victories over a two-week period.

PREFERRED REGIME That still seems beyond him and will be one of the first issues confronted by Gilbert, who advocates training ''like an animal'' and wants Murray to add some Rafael Nadal-style muscle to his wiry frame.

The American who guided Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick to the world number one ranking likes to start his day at 5 a.m., about six hours earlier than Murray's preferred regime, so somebody is going to have to compromise.

Accommodating an intensive fitness programme in the crowded tennis schedule will be no easy task. Murray has no time to rest after his Washington exertions, let alone do any strenuous training, and is due to play at the Toronto Masters this week.

Murray argued last week that he would prefer to get two hours of good practice in later in the day rather than two hours of bad practice at the crack of dawn.

It was a nice try, but for his own good the young Scot would be well advised to dust off the alarm clock all the same.

REUTERS AY ND1846