Djokovic and Murray head maturing young guns

MELBOURNE, Jan 19 (Reuters) The impressive Australian Open displays of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have confirmed their status as leading lights in the new generation of young players hoping to challenge Roger Federer and company.

The two 19-year-olds have eased through the draw, Murray dispatching Spaniards Alberto Martin and Fernando Verdasco and Djokovic seeing off Nicolas Massu, Feliciano Lopez and Danai Udomchoke to set up a fourth-round clash with Federer.

The confident Serb knows he has nothing to lose against the world number one, but his performances and those of Murray have attracted the attention of the Swiss master.

''I think this year we'll see more of the younger generation like Murray and Djokovic,'' Federer told reporters.

''I was a bit sceptical of them a year ago still because they had very bad grand slam results, they didn't really get that far. I think this year will be better for them. I definitely see that coming.'' Djokovic, seeded 14th, sees the match against Federer, who has beaten him in their two previous meetings, as a huge challenge.

''Everyone knows his game, he's so perfect and he makes things look so easy but if I go on the court with a white flag then what am I doing here?,'' Djokovic said. ''I have nothing to lose, he is the best player in the world.'' Despite his acknowledgement of the threat posed by Djokovic, Federer is confident he can knock him out of the Australian Open.

''Of course, I'm the big favourite,'' Federer said. ''This is maybe his big moment where he can maybe make a name for himself no doubt. But he already missed that opportunity twice. Usually when I beat a guy twice, I know how to play him. I hope I can take advantage of that.'' BOLD STATEMENT Murray made a bold statement when he beat Martin 6-0 6-0 6-1 in the first round at Melbourne Park, coming within one game of inflicting a rare whitewash on the Spaniard.

''Obviously, this year I have so much more experience,'' Murray said. ''I learned how to deal with everything better. This is my sixth or seventh grand slam now and you know how to deal with the pressures.'' Murray, seeded 15th, added 20-year-old Frenchmen Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet, who met in the third round, into the mix as part of the new generation of challengers.

''I think if you look at all the juniors who played poorly last year, Djokovic, Gasquet, Monfils, all of them won pretty comfortably so I think we are all maturing,'' Murray said. ''Last year was obviously difficult but I feel like I'm playing much better this year.'' Murray's play also impressed former Australian Open champion Marat Safin, who lost to the Briton at the Kooyong Classic last week.

''Well, he has improved some things, maybe a little bit more solid, more concentrated on the court and not scared to do anything, improvising all the time and pretty solid,'' Safin said. ''I think (coach) Brad Gilbert is doing a pretty good job.'' REUTERS PM VV1514