Bjorn Borg has predicted that Andy Murray will be challenging Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for grand-slam events next season.

The British No 1 has made startling progress this year, winning five tournaments and reaching the final of the US Open, where he was beaten in straight sets by Federer.

His success has lifted him to fourth in the world rankings and he is one of the favourites for the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai starting at the weekend.

Bjorg, who won five Wimbledon and six French Open titles between 1974 and 1981, believes Murray will continue on his upwards trajectory and could win a grand-slam event next year. "I said last year Andy Murray was going to be a great player," he said.

"Everybody was a little bit sceptical when I said that. But look at what Andy has been producing this year. He is improving his physical condition and his mental aspect.

"He is one of the top players. He has been winning the Masters Series and he knows he can beat every single player in the world. I pick Federer, Nadal and Murray to win grand-slam tournaments next year.

"I really enjoy watching Federer and Nadal and Murray. It's great rivalries. Next year is going to be very interesting for world tennis."

The rest of men's tennis game in this country is relatively weak, with the numbers two and three, Alex Bogdanovic and Josh Goodall, at 184 and 222 in the world rankings respectively.

The women's game is better, with Anne Keothavong ranked 75 and Melanie South just outside the top 100, while Laura Robson won the Wimbledon girls' singles title in the summer and has joined the WTA tour.

Borg believes there is enough British talent to succeed. "The [British] kids I saw here in Shanghai have a great possibility to be good players but it's really up to them," he said.

"But you have a big advantage that Andy Murray has been doing enormous things for British tennis, like Tim Henman did during his time. Andy is just improving more and more so it is going to be very interesting next year for Andy and in general for British tennis."