Murray began the new year in the best possible fashion

Scot Murray claimed the fourth title of his career on Sunday, beating Stanislas Wawrinka in the Qatar Open final.

Rusedski told BBC Radio Five Live: "He is playing the best tennis of his career and, to my mind, right now he is the third best player in the world.

"If he continues as he is, he can be the number one and win a major in the next few years."

Interview: Andy's mother Judy Murray

Murray, 20, is officially ranked ninth following his win in Doha.

But Rusedski is convinced he can go on to surpass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the world's top two, adding: "Only they are above him at the moment."

Ninth is Murray's best ranking since June last year, and the Scot's mother says his improved form is down to the technical changes he has made since splitting from coach Brad Gilbert.

606: DEBATE Your views on Murray's win and future prospects

Last year ended with Murray, who suffered an injury-plagued 2007, splitting from Gilbert and opting to work with a team of coaches, rather than one specific individual.

Miles Maclagan and Louis Cayer, his brother Jamie's coach, took care of Murray in Qatar and saw instant reward as he secured a confidence-boosting win in the build-up to the Australian Open.

"He is quite confident in terms of his physical ability and one or two of the technical changes he has made," Judy Murray told BBC Radio Five Live.

"He's made changes on his forehand and serve. They make a big difference.

"One of the things Andy really needed to improve with was first serve percentage and in doubles it's so important to serve well, and he certainly served well in Doha."

She was also keen to clarify the roles of the new coaches.

"Louis is definitely Jamie's coach - he is more the guru guy to Andy, the consultant guy, and Miles Maclagan is the coach who does the travelling with him," she said.