Cup form leaves Murray with grand slam aspirations

Andy Murray believes he is ready to win the Australian Open after arriving in Melbourne yesterday.

The world No 4 will be aiming to lift his first grand slam title at the tournament, which begins on January 18, and is in a confident frame of mind after an impressive week at the Hopman Cup in Perth.

Murray and his partner Laura Robson, 15, reached the final of the mixed teams event, where they were defeated 2-1 by Spain.

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The 22-year-old breezed through his three group games and, while he suffered a surprise three-set defeat to Tommy Robredo in the final, Murray said he could not be happier with his form.

"The week has been really good. I've been really happy with the way I've played all week on the court," he said.

"I think it was perfect preparation for the Aussie Open. I'm ready to win it.

"I just need to play well and if I do then there's no reason why I can't.

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"I feel like I'm serving well, moving well and hitting the ball better than I have for a long time from the back of the court.

"There's not a whole lot to complain about. Physically I feel good. It was good to play back-to-back days. My back is a little bit stiff because I haven't played much in the past six or seven weeks, but it's good to get the body used to playing.

"I feel really well prepared."

Murray is not scheduled to play another match before the Australian Open begins, but revealed he will look to organise an uncompetitive match during this week's AAMI Classic event at Kooyong.

Murray's matches at the Hopman Cup were indoors under the Burswood Dome and he admitted he would like to play an outdoor match to finalise his preparations.

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"I'll speak to my coach and the people I work with this week. I'm sure I'll play a match there just to play outdoors," he said.

"Ideally, I would have played outdoors last week, but I was able to practice outdoors on the off days to acclimatise.

"You feel like you get into a rhythm quicker indoors because without the wind or the sun you get comfortable on the ball.

"I'll practice a lot next week outdoors and I'm sure I'll be fine.

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"I'll train hard for the first four or five days and then relax over the weekend and get ready."

His partner, Robson has been handed a wild-card entry into qualifying for the Australian Open after claiming the biggest scalp of her fledgling career when she beat world No 26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-1 7-6 (8/6).

Qualifying begins on Wednesday and the 403rd-ranked Robson will need to negotiate three rounds to reach the main draw at Melbourne Park.

"Laura has had a quick rise on the international scene and deserves this opportunity," said Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley.

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Robson's only previous appearance at senior level in a grand slam came at Wimbledon last year when she was handed a wild card into the main draw before losing to Daniela Hantuchova in the first round.

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