Sportmaster International

Murray and Nadal will be meeting for the third time

The Scot will face the world’s best clay-courter at around 1700 BST, and goes into the match with a 0-2 record in head-to-head meetings.

Nadal, 21, has already won clay titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona this year.

“It’ll be a good experience for me, he’s obviously playing unbelievable on clay,” said Murray.

Murray goes into the match having enjoyed a confidence boost with wins over Dimitry Tursunov and Gilles Simon this week.

Nadal remains a strong favourite to take the title but he has complained of a heavy schedule in recent weeks, and suffered with a blister in losing early in Rome last week.

606: DEBATE Nadal will be lucky if he reaches the semi finals, in fact Murray has a real chance to beat him wolfreen “I know he had a few problems with his feet last week so I don’t know if he’s got rid of them yet but if I play like I did (against Simon) I can make a match of it,” said Murray.

“I’m obviously not expected to win but I do feel like I can give him a decent run for his money on the clay.”

Nadal needed more than two hours to beat Potito Starace on Wednesday and admitted he has been at less than 100% fitness.

“I didn’t have much time to practice because of a blister on my foot, so I am reasonably happy to get through,” said the Spaniard.

“I have had two tough games against Andy already and I expect the same.”