Nadal struggles past Stepanek to reach Queen's quarters

World number one Rafael Nadal was taken to three sets by Radek Stepanek before reaching the Queen's quarters

(CNN) -- Top seed and world number one Rafael Nadal is through to the quarterfinals at Queen's Club, but the Spaniard made heavy weather of defeating Czech Radek Stepanek in three sets.Nadal showed signs of fatigue in Wednesday's 6-4 6-4 win over qualifier Matthew Ebden and he was again forced to dig deep to see off the persistent Stepanek.


'Tired' Nadal goes through at Queen's Club
Nadal, who flew stright to London after collecting his sixth French Open title on Sunday, struggled to find his grass court game before his superior fitness told in the third set, eventually going through 6-3 5-7 6-1.
"I played much better than yesterday and I think I played a very complete match," Nadal told the ATP Tour website.


A tough-looking last eight clash with French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga now awaits the defending Wimbledon champion, who was satisfied with his performance despite dropping a set.
"The beginning of the third set, especially the first game, was tough -- but after that I think I played my best tennis," he added.


Second seed and world number four Andy Murray defied an inhibiting ankle injury to reach the last eight with a 6-4 7-6 win over 14th seed Janko Tipsarevic.


However, the Briton still proved good enough to secure a clash with Croat Marin Cilic and after the match Murray said: "We both played well, especially at the end of the second set. It was a big test for me and the ankle was the best it's felt."Murray is suffering from ligament and tendon damage he sustained at the French Open, which meant he wore a brace to see off his Serb opponent.

The American will now face seventh seed Fernando Verdasco, who defeated former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian 7-5 6-1.


Third seed Andy Roddick remains on course for a record fifth Queen's crown with a 6-4 6-4 win over South Africa's Kevin Anderson. And there was no joy either for Nalbandian's fellow-Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, the 12th-seeded former U.S. Open champion suffering a surprise 7-6 7-6 defeat to Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, ranked 54th in the world.