French Open 2011: 5 Reasons Andy Murray Can Finally Break Through

We're very proud of Andy Murray  on this side of the water.

However, as with all British men's singles players in my lifetime, sometimes he gets a bit frustrating. He's unquestionably the best of the crop we've had in the last 30 years, but will he ever make the breakthrough and get a Grand Slam?

Well, since you ask, yes, he will—and he can do it at Roland Garros. Here's why.

French Open 2011: 1. Andy Murray Has the Grand Slam Experience to Win

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ROME, ITALY - MAY 14: Andy Murray of Great Britain shows his dejection during his semi final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day seven of the Internazoinali BNL D'Italia at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 14, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (P

After his disappointment in Melbourne and his woeful year up until the last six weeks, he knows what he needs to do to succeed at Roland Garros.

French Open 2011: 2. Andy Murray's Clay-Court Game Has Improved

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ROME, ITALY - MAY 13: Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a forehand volley at the net during his quarter final match against Florian Mayer of Germany during day six of the Internazoinali BNL D'Italia at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 13, 2011 in

He's worked incredibly hard to get his clay-court game up to the high standards he's set for himself on hard courts and grass—and we saw the results in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome.

French Open 2011: 3. Andy Murray Is Contrary

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ROME, ITALY - MAY 14: Andy Murray of Great Britain shows his frustrations after a point during his semi final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day seven of the Internazoinali BNL D'Italia at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 14, 2011 in

He’ll win his first Grand Slam at a time when the odds are stacked against him, he's had a poor year overall and he doesn’t have a full-time, top-flight coach—like now.

French Open 2011: 4. Roland Garros Is Andy Murray's Odd Slam out

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

ROME, ITALY - MAY 14: Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand during his semi final match againstNovak Djokovic of Serbia during day seven of the Internazoinali BNL D'Italia at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 14, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (Photo

Murray has reached at least the semifinal in all of the other Grand Slams. In the French, his best is a quarterfinal place. He needs to improve that record sharpish.

French Open 2011: 5. Men's Field Is Topsy-Turvy

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ROME, ITALY - MAY 13: Andy Murray of Great Britain serves during his quarter final match against Florian Mayer of Germany during day six of the Internazoinali BNL D'Italia at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 13, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Cliv

The other top seeds are having odd patches of form. Rafael Nadal is the undisputed king of clay, but he’s suffered ill health recently, and Roger Federer’s on a heck of a slump (by his standards).

Obviously Novak Djokovic, Murray’s peer and recent adversary, is on an incredible unbeaten streak and is going into the tournament in extraordinary shape. Only last week Djokovic triumphed over Murray yet again, knocking him out in Rome in an epic encounter.

Maybe this time Murray can overcome his nemesis.

Do you think this is Murray's time? Or are we going to have to pin all our hopes on Wimbledon—again?