Murray Takes Swipe At Detractors

The 21-year-old Briton maintained his unbeaten run this year, which includes winning two warm-up events in the Middle East.

Andy Murray took a swipe at his main rivals on Thursday after underlining his Australian Open credentials with a crushing 6-4 6-2 6-2 win over Spain's Marcel Granollers in the second round.

The 21-year-old Briton maintained his unbeaten run this year, which includes winning two warm-up events in the Middle East, with a dominant performance to wrap up victory in one hour 50 minutes.

The world number four completely outclassed his former training partner but saved his best shots for three-times former winner Roger Federer and defending champion Novak Djokovic.

Both expressed their doubts about Murray's chances of winning the tournament, questioning why bookmakers would consider him the favourite for the title.

"They say there's a lot of pressure on them but then people aren't saying they're the favourites but they want to be the favourites," Murray said.

"Therefore, by saying they're the favourites, they're putting more pressure back on themselves. I don't really understand the whole thing."

Although he has not won a grand slam title, Murray has beaten Federer, Djokovic and world number one Rafael Nadal in the last year and made the U.S. Open final.

"I think I've played well enough in the last six or seven months to be in that sort of group. Whether I'm the favourite or not, I don't know," Murray said.

"I said at the start of the tournament, Federer and Nadal have got the most experience and probably merit being favourites.

"But there's a reason why people think I have a chance to win here, because I played very well the last few months and won against them."

Murray was not at his absolute best on Thursday but was still far too slick for Granollers, who he trained with in Spain when they were juniors.

With the centre court crowd still buzzing after watching Venus Williams upset by Carla Suarez Navarro, Murray provided a worthy encore, hitting 37 winners.

His will next take on Austrian Juergen Melzer.

"I was two points away from losing against him (Melzer) in the third round of the U.S. Open (in 2008) and ended up winning in five sets," Murray said.

"He's a tough guy, a lefty, big server and never gives you too much rhythm, so if I want to win I'll have to play well."