Nadal powers past Murray in Hamburg
Rafael Nadal overpowered Andy Murray to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Hamburg Masters. The British number one, celebrating his 21st birthday, was blown away by the Spaniard searching for a clay court title he has never won.
Despite flashes of brilliance, the world-number-two proved too strong and wrapped up a one sided affair 6-3, 6-2 in under an hour and 20 minutes.
After surrendering an early break Murray settled down and managed to keep pace with the Spaniard during the middle of the first set.
But Nadal eventually ground the British number one down with a number of bruising baseline exchanges.
The world-number-two looked more comfortable from the back of the court and a number of tame forehands from Murray saw Nadal take the first set 6-3.
Murray regrouped and made a good start to the second set, breaking Nadal's serve in the opening game following a rare forehand error.
He was not able to take advantage, however, and Nadal broke back as the match began to open up.
And it was Nadal who seized the initiative, racing to a 5-2 lead as Murray seemed unable to deal with the spin Nadal could generate.
With Murray serving to stay in the match, Nadal showed his clay court credentials with a classy forehand to give him match point, which he took at the first time of asking.
Nadal will now meet Carlos Moya in the quarter-final while Murray's next stop is the French Open.
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