Murray hits top form... at the wrong time!

They say timing is key. Unfortunately, Andy Murray appears to have got his all wrong and must never wished so much that it was April, not October.

As the season comes to an end in just over a month with the ATP Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London, the new world number three has found a run of form which has seen him take the spoils in the last four of five tournaments, culminating in a fine display in the Shanghai Masters last week.

But for the world's top players, there is still over three months to wait until the next Grand Slam event in Melbourne and for Murray, there could prove a problem in maintaining his excellent form over the season break. Questions will again arise as to whether he can take the last step and realise his dream of a major win.

Roger Federer is not the player he once was, falling below the Scot to his lowest rank since 2003 and without a Grand Slam title in 2011. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal has hit an unexplained slump in form and Novak Djokovic is feeling the effects of a remarkable season, one that nobody expected.

ONLY A MATTER OF TIME?: Murray has a renewed vigour following a hat-trick of titles in Asia.

And if Novak can do it, there is no reason Andy can't. A few minor tweaks and Djokovic springboarded himself to the top of the world rankings, taking the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles and five Masters 1000 events along the way.

Murray's efforts in the Grand Slams saw him reach the Australian final, succumbing to the excellent Serb in straight sets, before he capitulated in three semis against Nadal. The challenge for Murray is to overcome the nerves and pressure which seem to affect him in these big games.

He certainly has the ability to win a Slam, we all know that. What appears positive in recent weeks is a growing confidence and sense of belonging as one of the top players which he will need to carry into next season and will prove vital in any challenge he mounts for the Grand Slam title that he craves.

With eight Masters 1000 titles, the 24-year-old Scotsman's achievements should not be underestimated. His British number one predecessor, Tim Henman, only managed one in his entire career and never reached a major final, something which Murray has already accomplished on three occasions. But many believe a tennis player cannot be called a "great" until they have achieved glory at the highest level.

I think most would agree that Murray is the most likely British player in recent history to succeed in putting the Fred Perry references to bed, the question is when. With the experience and apparent confidence gained this season, I fully believe that 2012 is the answer.