Andy prime for Australian win - Rusedski

Former British number one Greg Rusedski believes Andy Murray can make history and win the Australian Open this month.

In the open era, no first-time grand slam winner has ever gone on to claim a second title in the next major event. Murray won his first major crown at the US Open last autumn but Rusedski feels the world number three is in good shape to repeat that success in Melbourne in the coming fortnight.

Rusedski told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "It is an amazing statistic, usually it takes players time to adjust. The reason I think it might be broken, this rule, is because Andy is 25. He is a little bit older, it has taken him a little bit longer to do stuff."

He added: "If you look in the past his best grand slam results, historically, have always been at the Australian Open. It is really tough to go against the bookies' favourite, (Novak) Djokovic, but I think Murray can go all the way this year."

Murray beat world number one Djokovic, a friend and rival from their days on the junior circuit, in the US Open final and Rusedski expects the pair to battle it out for top spot this year.

Number two Roger Federer, 31, is coming to the end of his career, while Rafael Nadal, now number four, is battling a long-term knee problem.

Rusedski said: "For me, this is going to be the battle for world number one in 2013 - Djokovic-Murray. There is a big psychological battle there because they have grown up (together), their birthdays are a week apart.

"There are a lot of similarities in their game and mentalities. I think by the first three majors we will know who is going to be number one and I think it is going to be nip and tuck."

Murray will begin his bid for a second grand slam title against Holland's world number 53 Robin Haase in Melbourne.