The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC Online

Andy Murray survived an injury scare before defeating Latvia's Ernests Gulbis 5-7 6-1 6-4 to reach the last eight of the Artois Championships.

Both players struggled with their footing on a damp day at Queen's Club, and play was briefly suspended at 2-2.

And moments after levelling at one set all, Murray screamed in pain when he fell while quickly changing direction.

But after treatment to his thigh during a medical time-out, the British number one returned to seal a battling win.

"That's the first time I've been on a tennis court and been more worried about getting through the match uninjured," Murray told BBC Sport.

"It was so slippy out there and even when it's only a little bit of rain I'm sliding two metres after every shot, and changing direction is so hard as well, so I was just really glad to come through in the end."

Murray will next face Andy Roddick, who went through when Mardy Fish retired with an ankle injury after losing the first 7-6.

Gulbis, ranked 51 in the world and rising, was always going to be a tough opponent for Murray having reached the French Open quarter-finals.