Andy Murray insisted today he is no longer frightened of playing Roger Federer and is relishing being favourite for the Australian Open.

Murray could not have sounded more ice cool after practising in 37 degree heat in Melbourne, where he begins his bid for a first grand slam title next week.

And while Federer is surprised bookmakers rate the 21-year-old above world No1 Rafael Nadal and reigning champion Novak Djokovic, Murray is not daunted by the expectation.

“I'm going to enjoy being one of the favourites and give it my best,” said the British No1.“It doesn't make any difference whether people expect you to win or not. It doesn't change my mentality.

“You get used to being expected to win matches when you play at Wimbledon. The pressure that comes with that gets you used to these situations.

“The older you get, the more matches you play, you realise what the bookies are saying doesn't make any difference once you get on court, whether they are saying good things or bad things. You just get on with your job.”

Murray has done that spectacularly so far this year, having won all of his eight matches, including beating Nadal once and Federer twice.

In fact, he has beaten Federer five times in their seven career meetings, his only defeats coming in their first meeting at Bangkok in 2005 and in the US Open Final last year.

Murray, two places behind the world No2 in the rankings, said: “The more you play against Roger the less fearful you are, you're not scared to win the match. If you're young and you play against the top guys, once you get close to winning you get nervous. Now when I play him I don't get nervous and if I play my best tennis I can beat him.”

Retaining his Qatar Open title last week was the perfect preparation for Murray as he bids to become the first British man to win a grand slam singles title since Fred Perry back in 1936.

He said: “I'd love to win a grand slam, but it might not happen.

“You have to try to forget about all the history. It is not of benefit if you are going on the court worrying about those sort of things. You have to put them to the back of your mind.

“I do understand what a big deal it would be if someone from Britain did win a slam, but I'm still very young so I'm not putting any added pressure on myself to win this Australian Open. I've got a lot more grand slams to play. I'm really chilled out.”

Which is just as well considering the Melbourne heat, rising as high as 45 centigrade in January, makes the first grand slam of the year a test of stamina as much as talent. And although he described the conditions today as “pretty grisly” he is sure that his work with fitness trainers Jez Green and Matt Little will mean he can last the pace.

“I've never minded heat too much but this temperature is a problem for everyone,” he said. “Your feet burn on court and it's tough to catch your breath, but if you play on the bigger courts you usually get a bit of shade from the stadium so it's not too bad.

“I practised at one o'clock today and it was pretty grisly. Four hours in that heat is unbelievably tough. That's why you have to put in the work in December. But my game's coming together nicely. Very few people reach their peak in whatever they are doing at 21. That could still be two years away, but physically I'm in the best shape I could be. And if I play like I have been I've got a chance.”

The two British women competing in Melbourne lost their final matches before the Open today.
Anne Keothavong was beaten 4-6, 6-0, 7-5 by France's Virginie Razzano in a contest lasting two hours and 23 minutes in the second round of the Hobart International.

Melanie South lost 6-2, 6-0 to eighth seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the same stage of the Sydney International.