Andy Murray sets his sights on world number two spot

Bob Harris

Last updated 09/04/2009 10:02:59

Scot Andy Murray no longer has to prove his credentials for his ambitions to become the worlds top player as he destroyed his old friend Novak Djokovic in straights sets to win the title they call the Fifth Masters in Miami.

Murray has successful shed the trappings of youth, the moods, the uncombed hair and the susceptibility to extreme heat and long matches, and emerged as the most serious contender to Rafa Nadal's number one world ranking.

Not even Nadal can boast the three titles Murray has already claimed this year and he already seems to have the Indian sign over not only third ranked Djokovic but also former world number one Roger Federer and with his 1,000 points and almost half a million pound prize money, he is closing the gap on that second place with every tournament.

His gruelling close season regime is paying handsome dividends and never more so than in this final when he not only outplayed his former Serb training partner but also outlasted him in the searing heat of the Sony Ericsson Open.

There is every chance he will hit the number two world ranking in time for the Wimbledon seedings in July.

He overwhelmed Djokovic 6-2 in the first set with his first serve matching his movement about the court, offering his opponent no way back.

But it was in the second set when he recovered from 2-5 to reel off the next four games to win the title and destroy his rival's confidence that he showed the massive improvement this season as he stormed the net and hit winners all over the place.

Miami – where Murray has a second home and spent the winter training – is a perfect pointer towards the season with its 11 day format and 96 strong fields of the world's best players in both the men's and women's events.

Murray has now won 11 ATP titles at the age of 21, already equalling the lifetime record of his British predecessor Tim Henman who, at the same age, was still awaiting his first title.