Murray targets top spot in 2013

Andy Murray is hoping a strong finish to the year can enable him to have a shot at the number one ranking in 2013.

The Scot, who won his maiden grand slam title at the US Open last month, is currently third in the world behind Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic but has his sights set on top spot.

Speaking ahead of his opening match at the Shanghai Masters, Murray told the ATP website: "There's a few tournaments between now and the end of the year I'd like to do well at and I always enjoy playing here. I'll try to do as well as I can between now and the end of the year. If I do that, there's a possibility to get to number one next year."

He added: "I think getting to number one in the world, that's more a reward for playing very good tennis throughout the whole season at pretty much every tournament you play.

"You need to focus more on the process and not so much just 'number one, number one'.

"The next grand slam in Australia is obviously a focus that would be not that far away, but I would say it's more of a long-term goal."

Murray, the two-time defending champion in Shanghai, is hoping his success at Flushing Meadows when he became the first British male to win a singles grand slam crown in 76 years will boost his on-court confidence.

"(The title) hasn't changed me. I haven't felt so different," said Murray, who will be up against German Florian Mayer in his first match.

"I felt a lot of relief. It was a big weight off my back at the time. So getting on the practice court, getting in the gym and stuff, has become a bit easier probably.

"I hope it gives me some more confidence when I'm on the court. That's the one thing that I hope I would have got out of it."