DHAKA: Great Britain's Andy Murray will face world number one Rafael Nadal for the first time since 2011 in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open.

Murray produced a determined display to beat Austria's Jurgen Melzer before Nadal came from a set down to see off former top-10 player Mikhail Youzhny.

On his 27th birthday, Murray faced 10 break points, including five in the ninth game, to win 7-6 (7-1) 6-4.

After a slow start, Nadal eased to victory over Youzhny 6-7 (7-4) 6-2 6-1

‘It's not a bad thing for me to play Nadal because I haven't played him for a long time,’ said Murray of Friday's match-up, reports the BBC.

‘With the French Open and Wimbledon coming I would be quite interested to play him to see how his game changed and all the things I can do to make it difficult for him.’

Nadal said, ‘Andy will be a very tough match, he's playing well’.

BDST: 1705 HRS, MAY 16, 2014