at 5-3 with Murray serving for the set.

Nadal reached 30 all after he struck a down the line forehand winner. Murray then netted a down the line forehand to set up break point at 30-40.

However Murray then struck an inside out down the line forehand winner to reach deuce.

A Nadal crosscourt forehand hit wide followed by a Nadal down the line backhand stab hit long ended the set after 42 minutes of play.

Nadal had held his second, third and fourth service games of set one all at love, but had dropped his first service game in a key turning point of the match.

Serving at deuce to open set two, Nadal netted a down the line backhand volley then netted a down the line backhand to drop serve to trail 0-1.

Murray then held serve at love after striking an ace out wide on gamepoint to lead 2-0.

Nadal then continued to struggle as his service game went to three deuces before Murray hit a down the line forehand winner right on the sideline to set up breakpoint.

The Spaniard then netted a crosscourt backhand to drop serve and trail 0-3.

Nadal netted a crosscourt backhand to end a 24 shot rally and put Murray ahead 30-0 in the following game before he would hold serve to lead 4-0.

Both players then posted comfortable service holds as Murray led 6-3, 5-1.

Serving to stay in the match, Nadal went ahead 40-15 before Murray netted a crosscourt backhand to put the score at 5-2.

Then with Murray serving for the surprise win, Nadal hit a return error followed by a crosscourt backhand winner to level the game score at 15 all.

Murray struck a down the line backhand long to trail 15-30.

Nadal then hit a crosscourt forehand return wide to level the score at 30 all.

An inside out crosscourt forehand return hit wide from Nadal set up match point for Murray at 40-30.

Nadal, who Monday will drop in the ATP Tour rankings from four to seven, netted a crosscourt forehand to end the match.

Despite his below par results in the warm up clay court tournaments, the Spaniard remains the favorite at the French Open which begins May 24th after winning in Paris in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and last year.

In Nadal’s prior meeting with Murray, Nadal topped Murray 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in the semifinals last year at the French Open.

However Murray and his supercoach the former top WTA Tour player Amelie Mauresmo of France both can take more confidence into Paris this year following today’s stunner.