Rafael Nadal has backed Andy Murray's bid to break into the world top three and possibly even replace him as No 1.

Nadal was on the receiving end as Murray claimed his second ATP title of the year yesterday with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 win over the Spaniard in the final of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament.

That was Murray's second win over Nadal already this year, although the world's leading player was hampered by a knee injury during the match which saw him require treatment.

Nadal did not use his injury as an excuse, however, and instead heaped praise on world No 4, who he believes could make further progress up the rankings even though the Scot is currently someway adrift of the top three of Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in terms of points.

"Andy deserves this triumph and I congratulate him, he is playing very well this year and has already won two titles," Nadal said. "He could become the No 1, two or three in the world," Nadal, who won his opening five major meetings with Murray but has seen the tables turned recently, was quoted as saying by Marca.

"It was not my best day. I had problems but I don't want to talk too much about these. Andy played very well. These things happen in sport.

"I'd rather talk about the good game of my opponent, who can look back at a fantastic tournament," Nadal added.

"I know how well he is able to play and in the final he has shown that time after time. He has only lost once this season, to (Fernando) Verdasco in Australia. He won the tournament of Doha and now here in Rotterdam."

Nadal is keeping his fingers crossed he will be fit enough to play in Dubai next week, saying: "I hope it's nothing serious and I will be able to play in Dubai, but we will have to see how the injury evolves.

"Now I'll have a week's break before I play in Dubai and I hope to have no problems. Above everything I had a great week in an important tournament."