TENNIS in DEPTH.

A big league player already — and into the third round of the US Open despite a few unexpected lurches — Andy Murray is about to move among the big league clothing boys as well.

It is understood that the British No 1 and world No 2 is expected to sign with Adidas in the first big contract successfully concluded by 19 Entertainment, the management company he signed for at the turn of the year.

The deal would bring an end to Murray’s association with Fred Perry, which had been renewed by his previous managers on a rolling year-on-year contract and was sustained through 2009, the centenary of the birth of the last British male player to win a grand-slam tournament, 73 years ago.

Now, it is clear, Murray is moving on and into the same line that clothes David Beckham, 19’s global sporting phenomenon, and which secures the firm foothold adidas has in the tennis brand market. With Murray joining the stable that houses Novak Djokovic — the 2008 Australian Open champion and world No 4 — they are able to compete for exposure with Nike, which attires Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

There were times yesterday, in Murray’s 6-2, 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 victory over Paul Capdeville, the world No 87 from Chile, when he did not look himself. Indeed the legs that have become meaty pistons in recent months thanks to his strenuous strengthening efforts, did not seem to be his property at all.

It was not until an hour and 57 minutes had passed that he played a truly destructive forehand winner, right out of the sweet spot. But he came through, which is all that really matters. He will not worry about the second set, even if those watching his every stagger were a tad anxious.

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