Murray targets top spot

Andy Murray told Sky Sports that he has set himself the ambitious target of becoming world number one in 2012.

Andy Murray has set himself the ambitious target of becoming world number one in 2012, despite competing during what he considers one of the greatest eras tennis has ever seen. The world number four has been going through the gears nicely at the Brisbane International as he prepares his latest assault on a Grand Slam title, with the Australian Open fast-approaching. Having lost the opening set in his first two matches of the new season, Murray made light work of Marcos Baghdatis in the quarter-final, winning 6-2 6-2 in little over an hour on Friday, to set up a semi-final clash with Bernard Tomic at the season-opening event. However, Britain's number one, who has been runner-up at the Australian Open for the last two years, is more than aware he will face far stiffer challenges in his quest to end his Major wait. Novak Djokovic will arrive at Melbourne Park as favourite as he look to defend the first of his three Grand Slam titles, while Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal need little introduction, boasting 25 Grand Slams between them after their own eras of dominance. Murray starts the season as world number four for a fourth successive year, but believes improved consistency throughout the campaign can be see him dismantle the perennial top three.

Talented

He told skysports.com: "From the French Open I played very well last year and I just need to keep that consistency for the whole year, that's the plan really. "I played badly in Indian Wells and Miami after the Australian Open in the last couple of the years and that's something I really want to try and avoid. "If I can do that then hopefully I'll get my ranking up and that's one of the goals for this year, to finish at number one, to do that you have to play well all year." Rather than feeling hard done by amidst such a talented generation, Murray sees the challenge as one which has aided his development. He added: "I enjoy competing against them and any achievement that I have with these guys around me is all the greater for it. "I think tennis is probably in the strongest era for a while and I'm glad I get the chance to play against these guys. "It's not an easy thing to do but I think because of them I will have improved my game as well, I'm probably playing better tennis than I would do if they weren't around." Murray will be looking to kick-off his campaign with a 22nd Tour title when he faces Alexandr Dolgopolov in the Brisbane International final on Sunday.