Hounslow’s Rajiv Ouseph has taken a leaf out of Andy Murray’s book to become the first player for nearly two decades to win three English Nationals Badminton singles titles in a row.

The 22-year-old, currently ranked 24 in the world, beat Carl Baxter 21-15 13-21 21-7 in the final at Manchester Sports City on Sunday.

Ouseph jumped 21 places in the rankings last year by lifting the Canadian Open, French Open and European Circuit titles and hopes to reach the top 10 by the time of the 2012 London Olympics.

“I have been working hard on my consistency and I think that has shown in my results this year,” said the former St Mark’s Catholic School pupil.

“There is a long way to go until 2012, but I still feel like I have plenty of room for improvement. I’m there or thereabouts now and hopefully I have time to become a real threat.

“I have been working a lot on physical based training to increase my strength and fitness in much the same way Andy Murray has and it has worked for him. He had the talent, but has added strength to his game.

“He is an inspiration to people like me. If he can make those sorts of strides in a sport where Brits have traditionally struggled there is no reason why I can’t.”

Darren Hall was the last player to win the English Nationals three years in a row, back in 1991, and Ouseph’s achievement comes while he is a first-year media and communications student at Loughborough University.

Ouseph faces a busy few months with the Thomas Cup, German Open, All England Championships, Swiss Open and the European Championships all on the calendar before the start of May.

“I am firmly established as the British number one now so it is important I keep developing.

“The All England Championships are the big one.

“If a British player can excel there it will really put the game on the map in this country. It would be a shot in the arm for the sport.”