Andy Murray wants to end Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal domination

Andy Murray is hoping the 2011 Australian Open will be the tournament in which he can dent the grand slam domination of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The world's best two players have combined to win 21 of the last 23 majors, with Novak Djokovic's victory in Melbourne three years ago and Juan Martin Del Potro's surprise success at the 2009 US Open the only blemishes.

Murray and Djokovic have been their closest pursuers for some time and the British number one believes it is time they made more of an impact at the biggest tournaments.

He said: "I think I have played well against Roger, Novak and Rafa.

"I've had a lot of close matches with Rafa and a lot of good wins against Roger. I haven't played Novak for quite a long time.

"I think everyone does beat everyone.

"I just think Roger and Rafa have been better in the slams and that is something that Novak and I want to change."

Nadal certainly will not be adding to his tally of grand slam wins in Melbourne - he arrived in Australia hoping to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four major titles simultaneously - after losing to David Ferrer in the quarter-finals although he was severely hindered by an early hamstring injury.

That means Murray will now face Ferrer with the winner going on to meet either Djokovic or Federer in Sunday's final.

Murray has yet to win a grand slam - he lost to Federer in the final here 12 months ago and also to the Swiss in the 2008 US Open final - although he can count himself unfortunate to have been in direct competition with two of the greatest players ever to pick up a racket and around at a time when there is an abundance of talent in the men's game.

"I think the depth is very, very strong in the men's game but I also think it has become more physical," he added.

"It's difficult throughout the whole year, because it's a long one, to play your best tennis.

"So sometimes, guys like Roger and Rafa, they have losses in lesser events that maybe Roger didn't have before because the game has become very physical.

"But Roger and Rafa play their best tennis at the big moments.

"The depth is still very strong though.

"Dolgopolov was 46 in the world yet he's a lot better than that."

Murray feels his game is in better shape 12 months on although he admits the improvements may not be easily apparent.

"I think I'm hitting the ball bigger than I was last year," he said.

"I think a lot of the things can be quite subtle differences. I don't think there's any major change.

"I don't see many major changes in any of the guys at the top of the game. But you just try to become more consistent, have less weaknesses.

"I think this year I'm a little bit more solid."