BEIJING, Oct. 17 -- Britain's Andy Murray reached the quarterfinals of the Madrid Masters Thursday after struggling past big-serving Croatian Marin Cilic 7-5, 7-6. 

Andy Murray of Britain reacts to a point against Rafael Nadal of Spain during the conclusion of their rain-delayed semi-final match at the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows in New York Sept. 7, 2008.

However defending champion David Nalbandian of Argentina was easily dethroned 4-6, 2-6 by compatriot Juan Martin del Potro, who is on course for a last-eight meeting with Roger Federer.

Fourth seed Murray started slowly, was broken early and was staring down the barrel in the ninth game of the opening set as Cilic held three set points.

But the Scot roared back with some brave play and helped by some nervous looking shots from the 1.98m Croatian, broke back and then broke again to take the set two games later.

Murray served for the match at 5-3 in the second but Cilic broke back and took it to the tiebreak before the Scot raced away 7-2 to book a place against either US eighth seed Andy Roddick or France's Gael Monfils.

Ninth seed Del Potro, chasing his fifth title of the year, dispatched Nalbandian in just 85 minutes.

Argentina's David Nalbandian reacts after winning a point against Russia's Igor Andreev during their World Group Davis Cup semi-final tennis match in Buenos Aires, Sept. 19, 2008.

【体坛英语资讯：Murray wins but Nalbandian departs】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Dutch advance, Italy, France on brink of elimination

★ 体坛英语资讯：Becker urges Federer to stay in Olympic village

★ 体坛英语资讯：Striker Ronaldinho to be on injury list six weeks

★ 体坛英语资讯：Sun hopes to shine again in doubles

★ 体坛英语资讯：Kenyans dominate track events in Osaka

★ 体坛英语资讯：Five-time All-Star Chris Webber retires from NBA

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Britney Spears TV wardrobe up for sale

★ 体坛英语资讯：China, Indonesia share light at badminton worlds

★ 体坛英语资讯：Another injury sends Yi to NBA sidelines

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Pink and racer hubby Carey Hart split up