Andy Murray will begin his bid for a historic third straight Masters Series title with a second-round match against American Sam Querrey in Paris on Wednesday night.

The Scot, unbeaten since losing to Roger Federer in the US Open final at the start of September, is in the form of his life at the moment.

Not only has he won the last two Masters Series events, in Cincinnati and then in Madrid a fortnight ago, he also retained his St Petersburg crown with a 58-minute trouncing of Andrey Golubev in Sunday's final.

Many are labelling Murray the man to beat in Paris, including Querrey, who has dubbed the 21-year-old "arguably the best player in the world right now".

With his number four ranking secure and his place in next month's season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai also sealed, the pressure is off Murray this week.

And he is happy with his mental and physical shape, having strolled through the St Petersburg tournament untroubled, without losing a set.

He even has Rafael Nadal, the world number one and a possible semi-final opponent in Paris, running scared.

"He has just proved in these last few months that he can win the big tournaments, whoever is in his way," said the Spaniard in L'Equipe.

"He is a massive talent, with a complete game and both an aggressive shot and a containing shot.

"He makes it all look so easy."

Querrey, the world number 41 from Santa Monica, has enjoyed a career-best year and played some decent stuff in his first-round defeat of Marcos Baghdatis, who retired injured in the deciding set of their match.

But Murray will already be eyeing sterner tests, with Fernando Verdasco, reigning champion David Nalbandian and Nadal probably in his path in the draw's top half.

Spain's Verdasco lies in wait for Murray in round three following his win in three sets over Tommy Robredo last night.

If Murray does prevail in Paris, he will become the first player to claim three successive Masters Series titles in the same year.