Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has reached the final eight of the Italian Open by securing a 7-6(1) 6-4 victory over Jurgen Melzer.
The Scotsman, who turned 27 today, made hard work of the first set after losing his serve in the opening game to Melzer, who managed to immediately hold to take the edge.
From then on, games continued by the way of serve until Murray grabbed a vital break point to draw proceedings level on 3-3.
Melzer came close to taking the lead in the first set, but the Scotsman battled to keep games on serve by saving five break points.
A tie-break was eventually needed to decide the opener, which Murray breezed through 7-1 to take the lead in Rome.
The momentum stayed with Murray as he grabbed a break at the first time of asking and managed to save a further two break points to take a 3-1 lead in the second set.
Melzer reminded the Scotsman that he was still in contention by sealing a break of his own, but Murray broke back immediately to keep the match in his hands.
Eventually, the British number one served out the match to ensure his place in the quarter-finals.
Danielle Joynson
