London: Ten months ago Roger Federer appeared unimpressed by Andy Murray and claimed the Briton's game had barely changed since they first met across the net in 2005.
The Swiss's comments last March were rather surprising since he had just been beaten by the Scot in the first round of an ATP tournament in Dubai.
Instead of engaging in a verbal volley with Federer, Murray chose to let his racket do the talking over the next few months and it seems that Federer has now heard him -- loud and clear.
After Murray recorded his fifth win in seven meetings with Federer, the world No. 2 had no option but to tip his hat to the Scot.
"If the question is whether Murray is going to win a Grand Slam, then 'yes'," Federer said in Doha after losing his Qatar Open semi-final against the British No. 1.
"As the years go by, his chances increase because he is becoming a better player."
While the likes of Wimbledon champion and world No. 1 Rafael Nadal and Federer have the ability to turn up on court and bamboozle their opponents with their stunning forehands, Murray's strength has turned out to be his brain.
He is an astute student of the sport and has gained a reputation for out-thinking his opponents.
"My game is a bit more complicated than just playing from the baseline, I have to use my intelligence, my brain more to win points and that can take time," Murray told British media after claiming his ninth ATP title on Saturday.
"I don't feel so nervous when I'm out there and I know if I play my best against anybody, I have a chance to win. It isn't like it was when I felt I had to play great just to get close."
As the players being their countdown towards the Australian Open, which starts next Monday, recent records suggest there are only four contenders for the Norman Brookes Cup.
Since May 2005, Federer and Nadal have pocketed 14 of the last 15 grand slams between them.
World No. 3 Novak Djokovic broke that duopoly at last year's Australian Open.
Murray has yet to join the list of grand slam winners but having finished runner-up to Federer at the US Open in September and as the sole player among the top four to win a title last week, the Briton has been installed as the front-runner for the season's opening major.
However, Murray played down the speculation of ending Britain's 73-year wait for a men's Grand Slam champion, especially since he started 2008 by triumphing in Doha only to trip up at the first hurdle in Melbourne Park.
"I feel good going into the Australian Open but after what happened last year I don't want to get too carried away," said Murray, who is undoubtedly Britain's most talented male tennis player since Fred Perry in the 1930s.
"I am one of the top guys but I don't know if I'm the favourite at the Australian Open. Ominously, he added: "I am not close to my best tennis. I still think I can play better and improve things."
More consistent
"I'm definitely more consistent now and I need to keep that up. Though I'm getting closer to my best tennis, I still think it could be a year or so away. But if I play my best tennis then I can beat the top players."
The 21-year-old from Dunblane has certainly put in the hard work to improve his physique, his serve, his touch, his court coverage and his temperament.
While his competitors may have opted to go on holiday during the six-week off season or do the rounds on the showbiz and award-show circuit, Murray chose to shun publicity and undertook an intense training regime in Florida.
The move has paid dividends and as his Doha final victim, Andy Roddick declared: "I'm in a majority of people when I say it's a question of when, not if, he wins a Grand Slam."
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