Nadal sets up Murray clash

Andy Murray will play Rafael Nadal in the third round of the Madrid Masters after the home favourite eased past Marcos Baghdatis.

Nadal, the second seed and 2005 champions here, defeated Cypriot Baghdatis 6-4 6-4 in one hour and 37 minutes and will now face British number one Murray on Thursday night for a place in the quarter-finals.

Baghdatis, the world number 22, had lost all three of his previous career meetings with Nadal but he gave the Spanish superstar an early scare in front of an expectant Madrid crowd.

After the first three games of the match had gone to serve, Baghdatis broke Nadal in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead.

However, Nadal, who was playing his first singles match after getting a bye in the opening round, broke back immediately and he also claimed the next three games to establish a 5-3 advantage, and Baghdatis could find no way back.

The second set went with serve until the ninth game, when Baghdatis put a simple forehand into the net to allow Nadal to take a 5-4 lead with the Spaniard's serve to come.

The world number two made no mistake, wrapping up the victory and a meeting with the in-form Murray.