Old Jokes Fall Flat With Murray A Serious Contende

As jokes go, it is hardly the most hilarious, but that is not the only reason nobody is cracking it to Andy Murray in Melbourne.

Heard the one about the British winner at a grand slam event? It's the guy who finds an extra strawberry in his punnet at Wimbledon.

As jokes go, it is hardly the most hilarious, but that is not the only reason nobody is cracking it to Andy Murray in Melbourne.

The Scottish counter-puncher is seeded fourth for next week's Australian Open and, enjoying great form, would seem a very real prospect to end Britain's 73-year wait for a men's grand slam winner.

Not since Fred Perry won the U.S. Open in 1936 has a man from the home of tennis held aloft a grand slam trophy.

Bunny Austin came close, reaching the Wimbledon final in 1938. Canadian-export-turned-Londoner Greg Rusedski reached the U.S. final in 1997 and Murray himself fell at the final hurdle in New York last year.

Tim Henman flirted with a series of semi-finals but was always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

John Lloyd scrapped back from two sets down before handing Vitas Gerulaitis the Australian Open 6-2 in the fifth set in 1977.

And that has been about it.

But when play kicks off on Monday at the first slam of the season, Dunblane-born Murray will be the name on everyone's lips.

FANTASTIC FORM

He has started 2009 in fantastic form, beating Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in a pre-season exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, and in Doha defeated the Swiss once more in the semi-finals before beating American Andy Roddick.

He is in cracking form and is exuding confidence.

When some bookmakers installed Murray as favourite for the Open, starting on Monday, it illicited a waspish response from 13-times grand slam champion and world number two Roger Federer.

But Murray was undaunted.

"I don't have a problem whether I'm a favourite or not," he told reporters at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

"You know, I guess Roger would prefer to be favourite himself. That's absolutely fine.

"But, you know, doesn't change my mindset going into the tournament at all."

That mindset is one of confidence.

"You know, I think when you do become a contender for a slam, obviously the seeding and stuff helps with your draws and whatnot," he said.

"You know, it gives you -- it gives me anyway -- that little bit of extra confidence.

"Obviously, the U.S. Open was a great run for me. I learned a lot from that. Hopefully I can keep it going here.

"I just think my mindset going into matches is much better now because I've been playing consistently well.

"I'm going into each match confident, not as many nerves.

"In the past I've been a little bit erratic with my performances. I feel like now I've sort of become more consistent. That's made a big difference."