Dominant Spaniard holds upper hand over his contemporary

Australian Open, January 2007 – Nadal 6-7 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-1

A teenage Murray produced one of the best performances of his early career before Nadal came from behind to secure a fourth-round victory – three hours and 51 minutes after the match started.

Hamburg Masters, May 2008 – Nadal 6-3 6-2

Nadal proved too good in the third-round clash in their first meeting on his favourite clay surface as Murray was shown he still had some way to go.

Wimbledon, June 2008 – Nadal 6-3 6-2 6-4

The Spaniard outclassed Murray on Centre Court, with the British player’s first grand slam quarter-final lasting less than two hours.

US Open, September 2008 – Murray 6-2 7-6 4-6 6-4

MURRAY produced the best performance of his career to claim his maiden victory over Nadal and reach his first grand slam final, where he lost to Federer.

Ambro World Tennis, February 2009 – Murray 6-3 4-6 6-0

Murray claimed his second ATP Tour title of the year with a battling display in Rotterdam.

Monte Carlo Masters, April 2009 – Nadal 6-2 7-6

Murray produced some scintillating tennis in the second set of his first clay-court semi-final but ultimately had to bow to the master of the surface as Nadal moved towards his fifth consecutive triumph in the tournament.

Australian Open, January 2010 – Murray 6-3 7-6 3-0 (retired)

Murray exhibited some of the best tennis of his career to take a commanding lead before Nadal pulled out with knee problems as the grand slam quarter-final slipped away. Again Murray would lose to Federer in the final.

Wimbledon, July 2010 – Nadal 6-4 7-6 6-4

Murray went into the semi-final with high hopes of a first Wimbledon final appearance but Nadal, who went on to lift his second SW19 crown, was simply too good.

Toronto Masters, August 2010 - Murray 6-3 6-4

One of Murray’s best tournaments to date came here as he dominated Nadal on his favourite hard court surface and then went on to beat Federer in the final to successfully defend his title.

ATP World Tour Finals, November 2010 – Nadal 7-6 3-6 7-6

One of the best three-set matches of all-time – as regarded by some – had the O2 crowd enthralled throughout. Murray played some superb tennis in the semi-final but Nadal came out on top despite winning less points than his rival. The match lasted more than three hours and a weary Nadal subsequently lost the final to Federer.

Monte Carlo Masters, April 2011 – Nadal 6-4 2-6 6-1

An elbow injury contributed to Murray’s third-set demise but until then the Scot had been arguably the better player.

French Open, June 2011 – Nadal 6-4 7-5 6-4

Murray’s Roland Garros title bid came to an end in the semi-finals as Nadal celebrated his 25th birthday in style. The Spaniard was in superb form and withstood Murray pressure in all three sets to triumph before lifting the title by defeating Federer in the final.