After his second round exit thanks to a strong performance from Fernando Verdasco, Andy Murray has backed Spaniard Rafael Nadal to win his fourth US Open.

Despite dominating the second set 6-2, Murray lost the four-set match to Verdasco; who is ranked 31st in the ATP rankings.

With many tipping Novak Djokovic to level with Nadal on US Open titles, the Scot has instead looked at the Spaniard as the hot favourite.

"If I had to pick someone I would pick Rafa," Murray said.

"I think that Novak (Djokovic) is playing great tennis now and maybe he is in the slightly harder part of the draw which can make things more difficult.

"I think it is between those two. Rafa’s section is, I don’t want to say easier, but Novak has the harder draw."

Murray's decision to back the Manacor-born star appears to be rooted in his impressive Wimbledon run, which was ended in a thriller against Djokovic.

"I did the Nadal-Del Potro quarter-final and it was an incredible match and one of the best that I have watched," said Murray.

"The fifth set was amazing quality. I enjoyed it, but I don’t know if I would like to do it longer term or not. I hadn’t watched a match like a spectator (in a while). I was always thinking ‘what would I do in that situation?’ but I was trying to understand how Rafa would play and match-up against Juan."

After advancing through Canadian Vasek Pospisil in the second round, Nadal will now face World No. 26 Karen Khachanov in the third round, whilst Djokovic will likely face Richard Gasquet if he can advance past Tennys Sandgren in his second-round tie.

Murray appears to be right in saying Nadal faces an easier route through the tournament, with his hardest matches potentially being against Stan Wawrinka, Kevin Anderson, Fernando Verdasco or Del Potro.

In contrast, Djokovic may face up against Marin Cilic, David Goffin, Gael Monfils and World No. 4 Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic will be hoping for an upset on the opposite side of the bracket to prevent a meeting with Nadal in the final.