Andy Murray defeats David Nalbandian on clay in Rome

World number four Andy Murray overcame David Nalbandian 6-1 4-6 7-5 to make it into the third round of the Masters series event in Rome, BBC reported.

Murray, 25, cruised through the first set, but found his Argentine opponent a much harder proposition in the second.

Nalbandian forced the match into a third with a much-improved service game, but Murray saw out the match.

The clay event in Rome is seen as a curtain-raiser for the French Open, which starts in 12 days.