Murray Progresses After Verdasco Struggle

Andy Murray was made to sweat in Dubai as world No30 Fernando Verdasco took him to a third-set tie-break in their second-round Dubai Open clash.

Murray, who beat Roger Federer convincingly in the first round, held his nerve to claim the tie-break 7-5 and advance to the quarter-finals following a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 victory. The Scot claimed the first set with a single break of serve, but struggled on his serve in the second set and lost it to the Spaniard by the same score.

It was an attritional and at times nervous performance from the world No11, who fell well below the heights he reached against Federer and gave some credence to the world No1's comment that Murray would have to "grind very hard ... if he keeps playing this way". Murray will now face fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko as he attempts to win his third tournament of this year.