AUSTRALIAN OPEN favourite Andy Murray will take the tournament game by game after last year's first round exit in Melbourne.

The 21-year-old has had a superb start to the year, defending his Qatar Open crown a week after beating Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in Abu Dhabi.

"I'm feeling confident and I'm playing well.

"But after what happened last year I'm trying to focus on the first round," said Murray, who lost to eventual finalist, the unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

"I am one of the top guys but I don't know if I am the favourite.

"There is Roger, Rafa and Novak (Djokovic) who won last year. I like playing in Melbourne but I did not play well last year.

"I don't want to get too carried away. I just need to concentrate on each match and fight hard as every round will be tough."

Murray, whose best display in the Australian Open came in 2007 when he reached the fourth round, was installed as one of the favourites for Melbourne starting on January 19 after an impressive performance in the Qatar Open.

He defeated Federer in the semi-finals before recording an emphatic 6-4, 6-2 victory over American Andy Roddick in the final.

"There is a group of us that have a very good chance of winning the Australian Open," added Murray.

"Normally in the Australian Open there is one surprise package that comes through, a younger player who has a great tournament when no-one is expecting it.

"There are still things in my game I can definitely improve and that is what is exciting. I just need to keep working on them when I get my practice weeks throughout the year.

"I think I'm getting close to playing my best tennis but I still think that could be a year or so away."

And Murray says he no longer feels inhibited when taking on the best players in the world.

"When I go on court against them I don't feel so nervous because I know if I play my best against them I have a chance to win," he said.