Andy Murray targets Olympics and US Open after Masters Series triumph

Andy Murray targets Olympics and US Open after Masters Series triumph

New world number six Andy Murray has sets his sights on Olympic and US Open glory after winning his first ATP Masters Series event in Cincinnati.

Aiming high: Britain number one Andy Murray is planning Olympic and US Open success following his first ATP Masters series win in Cincinnati. Photo: Getty Images

Murray, 21, goes into the Beijing Games as one of the favourites to win the gold medal in the men's singles event after he moved up to a career high world ranking following his victory over Serbian Novak Djokovic in two tie-breaks in the Cincinnati final.

The confident Scot is Great Britain's sole representative in the singles tournament, which begins on 10 August, where the likes of Djokovic, world number one Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are also competing for medals. He will also team up with brother Jamie in the doubles event.

Djokovic had beaten Nadal in the Cincinnati semi-finals, but for the second time in a fortnight Murray got the better of his fellow 21-year-old.

He said: "I've beaten Novak twice in the last couple of weeks now and he's obviously played great all week.

"It gives me a lot of confidence going into the Olympics and US Open."

Murray is determined to improve on his record at the highest level, having reached his first grand slam quarter-final at Wimbledon. He insists that the sixth tournament victory of his career underlines his serious intent to gain more honours.

"It's huge. Masters Series titles are so huge to win," added Murray.

"I played five matches in five days in this sort of heat against guys like Novak, (Carlos) Moya and (Ivo) Karlovic. They're all tough matches.

"It's a great test physically and all the work off the court is paying off.

"I've got to try to stay grounded and get back to the gym and practice court, and make sure I don't get too ahead of myself because I've only made one quarter-final at a slam and never gone deeper than that, and that's got to be my next goal."