Lloyd backs 'great' Murray

Lloyd (L) & Murray

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Britain's Davis Cup captain John Lloyd has backed Andy Murray to reach the very top of the world rankings and break his duck in a grand slam event.

Murray is currently enjoying a purple patch having won both the Madrid Masters and the St Petersburg Open in the last two weeks, consolidating his position at number four in the rankings.

And Lloyd, who on Monday revealed Great Britain's next Davis Cup tie against Ukraine will be in Glasgow, believes the Scot's upward curve is only just beginning.

"Andy is already a great player and now he has a chance to be the one - the number one," Lloyd told the Guardian.

"He is millimetres away from winning a grand slam. It would not surprise me if he wins one next year.

"I still think he's two years away from playing his best tennis - which is a scary thought. I think he's very much a learner.

"He's very astute in that he picks up things all the time and he knows what he needs to get that extra step.

"He's been gradually chipping away at the top three guys - and in a lot of cases, beating the top three guys - but he's taking it all on board.

"He is realistic enough to know that there is still a way to go but I think he knows what he has to do now."

Great tennis

Meanwhile, Murray's predecessor as Britain's best, Tim Henman, has also responded to the Scot's recent efforts with positive comments.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "Andy is going to achieve bigger and better things than I ever did and I'm really pleased for him.

"I believe that, if Andy stays fit and healthy, there's a chance he will go on to become the world number one.

"He has been playing such great tennis since Wimbledon and has picked up so many points that he is now closing in on (Novak) Djokovic, the world number three.

"And maybe he will go on to overtake (Rafael) Nadal and (Roger) Federer as well.

"There is a lot of tough competition at the top now as Nadal, Federer and Djokovic are great players but I think that Andy can get to number one."