Greg Rusedski: 'Andy Murray could become number one'

Former British tennis player Greg Rusedski has stated his belief that Andy Murray could become world number one in 2013.

Murray eased into the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday with a straight-sets win over Portugal's Joao Sousa.

"There's a very good chance of [Murray becoming number one]," Tennis Space quotes Rusedski as saying. "For me, the battle for number one is between Novak Djokovic and Murray.

"I have great respect for Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, but Nadal is coming back next month after so many months out, and we don't know what sort of shape he is going to be in.

"After the French Open, we will know whether he's going to be in that race for number one, but it may be too soon. I can see Federer possibly sneaking another slam, but I can't see him consistently beating Djokovic and Murray."

Murray won his first Grand Slam by taking the 2012 US Open.