Murray unconcerned by ranking slip

Andy Murray does not believe slipping to number five in the world will hamper his chances of grand slam success at the Australian Open.

The Scot slipped below Robin Soderling this week following the Swede's tournament success in Brisbane although the significance was reduced when the pair were placed in the same quarter of the draw.

Murray is a strong believer that to win a major you have to beat the best irrespective of seeding.

He said: "To be honest I don't really care (about being seeded five).

"Last year I was seeded five here and made it to the final. But I have been number four and lost in the third round of slams.

"I don't think it really makes a whole lot of difference where you are seeded."

He added: "You have to play one of the top guys maybe a round earlier but all of the players are incredibly difficult to beat.

"It wasn't something that I was worried about or thinking about when the draw was getting done."

Murray opens his challenge against Karol Beck on Tuesday with Soderling a scheduled last-eight opponent.

World number one Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer would then be likely opponents in the semis and final.

The 23-year-old from Dunblane knocked Nadal out in the quarters last year, the Spaniard retiring when two sets and 3-0 down, on his run to the final where he suffered a convincing defeat by Federer.