Riding a wave of impeccable form, Britain's Andy Murray is the surprise favourite for the Australian Open where he can turn tennis's Big Three into a new Big Four.

Murray has smashed past top-ranked Rafael Nadal and twice downed triple Open champion Roger Federer already this year, making him the hottest property at the season's opening Grand Slam.

With title-holder and world number three Novak Djokovic crashing to Ernests Gulbis in his first match of the year, Murray, 21, is raising genuine hopes of ending Britain's infamous 73-year Grand Slam drought.

The world number four dominated the latter part of last year and has made a rip-roaring start to 2009, demolishing Federer in the Qatar Open semis before defending his title against Andy Roddick.

"What excites me is that I don't think I'm close to my best tennis. I still think I can play better and improve things," Murray said afterwards.

However, the 'favourite' tag sits uneasily with the Scot, who was also hotly tipped last year only to suffer a disastrous first-round defeat to eventual runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Murray's physical fragility may also return to haunt him in the 128-man draw, often played in brutal heat, after a back problem flared during the Doha semis.

"I feel good going into the Australian Open but after what happened last year I don't want to get too carried away," he said.

"I just need to concentrate on each match and fight hard as every round will be tough. I am one of the top guys but I don't know if I am the favourite at the Australian Open.

"There is Roger, Rafa and Novak who won last year. I like playing in Melbourne but I did not play well last year."

Federer heads to Melbourne a diminished figure from the untouchable world number one whose demise began here a year ago with a bout of mononucleosis.

But the Swiss can erase the disappointments of 2008 with Grand Slam title number 14, matching the record held by Pete Sampras.

And despite losing his last four matches with Murray since the US Open final, Federer remains confident of besting the Scot on the big occasion.

"I just couldn't give the knockout punch. But it is not a big thing. Andy is a tough player against me. I hope when big matches come, I beat him," he said after the Qatar semis.

Meanwhile, Nadal has made a slow start to the only season he has begun as world number one, going down to the in-form Gael Monfils in Doha after his loss to Murray at an exhibition event.

But the Spaniard, who took an extended break at the end of last year to nurse chronic knee tendinitis, remains positive as he hunts his first Australian Open crown.

"I knew before the match that the beginning of the season was not going to be easy because, although I have had more rest than other players, I have also had more time outside of competition than others," he said.

"So it is a little bit more difficult to come back fast to my rhythm. I have had two matches here and five altogether, so I leave here with positive feelings when I go to Australia."

Djokovic is breathing down Federer's neck for the second ranking but also has made an unedifying start, blaming a change of racquet for his woes after his loss to Gulbis.

Sixth-ranked Tsonga will hope to repeat the dazzling heroics which made him an overnight sensation last year, with Gilles Simon, Roddick, Juan Martin Del Potro and James Blake rounding out the top 10.

Czech player Radek Stepanek is buoyed by his Brisbane International win over in-form Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, while Marin Cilic was victorious in Chennai and ex-number one Lleyton Hewitt will be a dangerous floater on home soil.

But world number five Nikolay Davydenko is out injured and fellow Russian Marat Safin may also be in doubt after he pulled out of this week's Kooyong Classic here.


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