Rafael Nadal gave Andy Murray a claycourt lesson for his 21st birthday as the Spanish second seed moved into the quarter-finals of the Hamburg Masters.

Nadal joined world number one Roger Federer in the last eight of the 2.27m euro tournament, Federer barely made to sweat by Swede Robin Soderling before Nadal progressed by the same 6-3 6-2 scoreline.

This was the third time Murray has met - and lost - to Nadal and there was little for the Scotsman to celebrate on his landmark birthday.

Murray has been working with twice French Open finalist Alex Corretja in a bid to improve his game on clay and the Briton did at least manage to put Nadal under pressure at times.

Nadal, playing with greater power and more consistency, took a 3-1 lead in the first set but had Murray taken one of two break points in game eight he might have got back into it.

Murray rallied to break Nadal at the start of the second set but the Spaniard simply raised his game to win it straight back and the rest of the match was a bit of a stroll.

The Spaniard had a first match point on Murray's serve in the eighth, and although that was saved, another forehand into the net put an end to the Briton's preparations for Roland Garros.

Nadal, who has now won all three of the pair's meetings, will face compatriot Carlos Moya in the quarter-finals.

Eurosport