London, Jan 11 (ANI): World No.5 Andy Murray might have to play and beat three of the top four players in Friday’s draw of the Australian Open if he wants is to become Britain’s first male grand slam champion for 74 years.

Murray could have to beat three out of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Del Potro - one in the quarter-final, one in the semi-final and one in the final - to win the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, The Telegraph reports.

Murray has dropped out of the top four ranking because he decided against returning to Doha to retain the title he won there last season. Instead, he opted to play at the mixed team exhibition event in Perth, the Hopman Cup.

Murray, who played four singles and four mixed doubles matches in Perth last week, finished as the runners-up to Spain.

In Murray’s absence, Nikolay Davydenko won the Doha tournament with a 0-6, 7-6, 6-4 defeat of Nadal, while Andy Roddick on Sunday won the Brisbane title by beating Radek Stepanek. (ANI)