Nadal, Nishikori enter Madrid Open quarterfinals; Murray crashes out

World No.1 Rafael Nadal has remained on course to defend his title at the Madrid Open after moving into the last eight, while Wimbledon champion Andy Murray's return to action at the tournament was ended in the third round on Thursday.

The British No.1, who was competing for the first time in a month in the Spanish capital, powerless to stop in-form Columbian Santiago Giraldo from romping to a 6-3, 6-2 win in just over an hour.

According to Sport24, Giraldo, who reached the final of the Barcelona Open two weeks ago, has now set up a quarter-final meeting with Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.

Nadal, who suffered shock defeats to David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro in the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open respectively, moved into the quarterfinals of the tournament by beating Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 6-1, 6-4.

Meanwhile, Japanese player Kei Nishikori continued his fine form on clay after winning in Barcelona two weeks ago as he outlasted eighth seed Milos Raonic in two tie-breaks 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5), the report added.