Andy Murray is optimistic he can upset world number three Novak Djokovic when the pair meet in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday.

Djokovic, who won his first Grand Slam in Australia this year, holds a 3-0 record over the British number one.

Murray said: "He's had a great start to the year and he's playing very well.

"He's expected to win the match but I hope I can go out and play like I've done in the last couple of days because if I do I've got a chance of winning."

Murray has rediscovered some form on clay in Monte Carlo, and his two victories are his first on clay since 2006.

Last season a wrist injury in Hamburg resulted in him being sidelined for three months.

Double French Open finalist Alex Corretja has been advising Murray on his clay-court game and the Briton is confident his game is improving.

"I haven't had great results on clay but I've only played 11 or 12 matches on the tour, maybe less," he continued.

"I've had a few injury problems on the clay but I got a good two weeks of practice before I got here and obviously getting the chance to work with someone like Alex has helped too.

"I played well as a junior on clay and I won a lot of Futures tournaments on clay when I was 16 and 17 but it's just understanding how to beat the best clay-courters on this surface.

"It's tough, you've got to grind out a lot of points."

Djokovic is also aiming to improve his own performance on clay, although his victory in Estoril last season proved he has the ability to win on the dirt.

And with the Australian crown under his belt, Djokovic's target is to move higher up the world rankings and close in on Rafael Nadal and established world number one Roger Federer.

"I know I have enough potential to be top of the world," said the Serbian.

"But I'm only 20 years old, I still have a lot of time ahead of me. I don't want to push myself too much and focus on the points and rankings."  

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