Murray reaches best-ever ranking

Murray lost to Ivan Ljubicic on Saturday, but his seeding means he will avoid big names early at the Australian Open, which starts next week.

"To get to the final of an ATP tournament is a great start to the year," said the 19-year-old.

"I should be feeling pretty good when I go into the Australian Open now."

Murray, ranked 17th before the Qatar Open, will prepare for the first Grand Slam of the year with an exhibition event in Melbourne this week.

"Andy is going to be in the top 10 soon and will be very difficult for anyone to beat"
World number five Ivan Ljubicic

"I've played five matches and I'm guaranteed three more in the warm-up at Kooyong," he added.

"I am seeded [for the Australian Open] this year so I avoid [the top players] from the start, which gives you the chance to work your way into a tournament."

Murray will learn his first-round opponent when the draw is made on Friday, with the event starting next Monday, 15 January.

The man who beat him in Doha, Ljubicic, said he expects Murray to break into the world's top 10 in the near future.

"Murray is going to be a great player, no doubt about it," said the Croatian, who has jumped up one place to fourth in the rankings.

"He is going to be in the top 10, probably pretty soon, and will be very difficult for anyone to beat."

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