Australian Open: Quarter finals - Andy Murray v Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal's fans were out in force at the Rod Laver Arena to cheer on the reigning champion Photograph: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images Photograph: Mark Dadswell/guardian.co.uk Andy Murray's fans were also present to cheer on their boy Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Greg Wood/guardian.co.uk The British No1 also had Ricky Hatton in the stands cheering him on Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images Photograph: Jason O'Brien/guardian.co.uk The support spurs Murray on and he takes the first game of the contest courtesy of a 126mph ace Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: guardian.co.uk After losing that first game Nadal seems to get his tail up and fires a number of quality shots over the net, including a savage inside-out forehand, and has Murray running this way and that. Nadal wins the next two games to make it 2-1 Photograph: Rick Rycroft/AP Photograph: Rick Rycroft/guardian.co.uk Murray has a bit of a rant at the umpire Fergus Murphy in the fifth game of the first set after Nadal was allowed to challenge a line call 20 seconds after it had been originally called out Photograph: David Gray/Reuters Photograph: David Gray/guardian.co.uk Murray quickly regained his composure and his aggressive serve and volley tactics pay off as he takes the first set 6-3 Photograph: David Gray/Reuters Photograph: David Gray/guardian.co.uk The first set took just under an hour and there seems no let up from the two protagonists as the first five games of the second set go with serve before a quick break for fireworks ... Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Photograph: Cameron Spencer/guardian.co.uk ... which were let off to mark Australia Day Photograph: Francis R. Malasig/EPA Photograph: Francis R. Malasig/guardian.co.uk Following the fireworks Nadal comes out the stronger and wins the game and the first break of serve of the set ... Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Greg Wood/guardian.co.uk ... which he seems quite happy about Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/guardian.co.uk Murray unleashes a sledgehammer of a two-handed backhand as he breaks Nadal and then uses his big serve in the next game to make it 4-4 Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images Photograph: Jason O'Brien/guardian.co.uk Nadal's serve now comes into play, including his first ace of the match, which was over 120mph. He now has his nose in front in the second set and leads Murray 5-6 and just needs to break the Scot on the next game to make it one set all Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters Photograph: Daniel Munoz/guardian.co.uk Despite Nadal growing in strength as the match goes on, Murray's serve is such a weapon, that he pulls out three aces – all at over 130mph to take the game on his first advantage. This means that the second set will be decided on a tie break Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images Photograph: Jason O'Brien/guardian.co.uk A couple of mistakes by Nadal and an overhead forehand by Murray along with some simple serve and volleying means the Scot wins the tie-break 7-2 and takes the second set 7-6 Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters Photograph: Daniel Munoz/guardian.co.uk Murray wins the first game of the third set and then play is halted at 15-15 on Nadal's first service game of the set as the medic comes on to examine the Spaniard's knee. Apparently it is sore and he is having trouble pushing off it Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Photograph: Cameron Spencer/guardian.co.uk Nadal resumes play but Murray has the bit between his teeth and breaks serve to make it 2-0 in the third Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images Photograph: Jason O'Brien/guardian.co.uk Nadal battles back to earn a break point at 30-40 in the third game of the third set Photograph: Julian Abram Wainwright/EPA Photograph: Julian Abram Wainwright/guardian.co.uk But Murray responds with a 130mph sliced serve for his 11th ace of the match to take the game to deuce. He then produces two more aces to take the game. So it's 3-0 to Murray Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/guardian.co.uk Which his fans celebrate Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Photograph: Ryan Pierse/guardian.co.uk It is at this point that Nadal decides he can't carry on with his painful knee so retires from the match to give Murray a 6-3, 7-6, 3-0 victory. Murray will now meet Maric Cilic in the semi-final on Thursday Photograph: Lucas Dawson/Getty Images Photograph: Lucas Dawson/guardian.co.uk