Miami: Former world number one, Ivan Lendl might not yet have fulfilled Andy Murray's dream of winning a major, but the Scot sure feels that he is mentally tougher because of his association with the eight-time grand slam winner.
Murray registered a 6-2, 6-3 win over Alejandro Falla in the second round on Friday to keep his hopes in the tournament alive, after having crashed out in the first round at Indian Wells a couple of weeks ago.
"Now, I'm able to deal with a bad loss a lot better," Murray said.
"Having Ivan around helps, he's been through many of those experiences."
Murray was beaten in straight sets by Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in Indian Wells, but bounced back to beat Falla comfortably on Friday.
“He (Lendl) used to practice with John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors' racquets to see how they felt and see what things they could and couldn't do”
Lendl, who was appointed Murray's coach in January, was not present at Indian Wells where Murray went down to Lopez.
"A year or two ago there would be a problem or I'd play a bad match and rather than getting the issue sorted out it would drag on for a little while and affect my practice," the British number one said.
"As you get more mature you have to deal with it and Ivan knows the right advice to give.
"I obviously ask him questions about what he would have done and how he would deal with certain situations.
"But one of the most important things a coach can do in an individual sport is listen to the player and pick their brains a little bit, about what they're thinking on the court and what they feel most comfortable with in pressure situations. That's something he's been great with.
"He's asked for advice from other coaches because he's never coached before and that was something very refreshing, for such a great player to ask for help." Murray said.
Murray takes on big-serving Milos Raonic of Canada in the round of 32.
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