Kyrgios challenged by Murray to crack top 15

Kyrgios is ranked 30th in the world as he prepares for next week's Australian Open, after helping Australia to their first Hopman Cup title since 1999.

Published : Jan 11, 2016 12:20 IST , Melbourne

Nick Kyrgios was eliminated by Andy Murray in last year's Australian Open.
Nick Kyrgios was eliminated by Andy Murray in last year's Australian Open.
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Nick Kyrgios was eliminated by Andy Murray in last year's Australian Open.

World number two Andy Murray has challenged good friend Nick Kyrgios to half his ATP Tour ranking and break into the top 15 this season.

Kyrgios is ranked 30th in the world as he prepares for next week's Australian Open, after helping Australia to their first Hopman Cup title since 1999.

The 20-year-old stunned two-time grand slam champion Murray en route to the trophy in Perth last week, beating the Scotsman 6-4 7-6 (7-5) for the first time in his short career.

And Murray, who eliminated Kyrgios at last year's grand slam in Melbourne, believes the Australian youngster must start aiming high.

"He's obliviously an incredibly talented guy and he's very exciting to watch," Murray said in Melbourne on Monday.

"He has a big game and can cause a lot of players a lot of problems."

"Thirty in the world last year — a good goal for him would be to halve his ranking again this year."

"He played very well in some of the major events. He just needs to improve his consistency through the year and if he does that, he'll be right up at the top of the game."

Murray added: "His game, he's capable of beating almost all of the players.To get to number one you have to do it through the whole year, it's no use doing it six or seven days through the year. "Novak [Djokovic] last year made the final of every tournament he played except one and to get to number one you have to match that sort of consistency."

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