Melbourne, Jan. 25 : Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal admits that Britain’s Andy Murray will be a pain in the bum when they clash in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open tomorrow.

Murray destroyed big-serving American John Isner to enter the quarters and has yet to lose a set.

Nadal, 23, goes into the match as the reigning champion Down Under and has won seven of his nine clashes against Murray - including their first meeting when he edged a tight fourth-round match in 2007 despite injuring his buttock in the process.

But, although still ranked as the world No 2, injury-plagued Nadal has not won a tournament for eight months and has just one win in his last 11 matches against top-10 ranked players.

He admitted: "This is not the best moment of my career in terms of playing against top-10 players.

"We both have our own weapons. The big difference between us is he serves better, but when I''m able to play with rhythm and intensity I can overcome him,” he added.

Murray, 22, said: "Playing Rafa will be incredibly tough. He doesn''t have a huge serve, but has got a good serve. He plays with a lot of topspin and can play a long way behind the baseline. You just have to bring your best to the court." (ANI)