For Andy Murray, playing in the same era as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic has meant fewer titles but has made him a better player in the process, a tradeoff he is happy to live with.

“There are obviously pros and cons to it,” Murray said. “I enjoy competing against them. I’m happy to be part of a bunch of guys and play against them on a regular basis and it has definitely improved me as a player.”

“If they weren’t there, there would be more chance for me to win major tournaments, but I’ve improved as a player because I’m competing against them.

“If you look at it purely on how much people have won, then yeah I would obviously rather be in a different era, but I’m playing better tennis than some guys may have in the past because I’ve had a chance to compete with them.”

The 25-year-old Scotsman, who captured Olympic gold last month, reached the fourth round of the US Open with a hard-fought 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) victory on Saturday over 30th-seeded Spanish left-hander Feliciano Lopez.

British third seed Murray, a four-time grand slam runner-up seeking his first major title, will play for a spot in the quarter-finals against Canadian Milos Raonic, who advanced by 6-3 6-0 7-6 (7-3) over US wildcard James Blake.

Murray eyes Federer’s record 17 career grand slam titles with respect and appreciation and says that mark will last longer than the mark of 14 set by Pete Sampras with his 2002 US Open farewell victory.

“The consistency in doing it over such a long time is what’s so impressive,” Murray said.

“Roger now is 31, I think, and he’s still No.1 in the world. He’s playing great tennis.

“But it’s a very, very hard thing to do. So you won’t see it that often. I’m sure it will be a while before someone breaks his record of majors.”