Opportunity knocks for Murray.....but we've said that before

ANDY Murray is standing at a crossroads on the eve of his quarter-final clash with Rafael Nadal - it's a scenario with which he is now familiar.

DATE WITH DESTINY: Andy Murray first real test of 2010 will come in his quarter-final clash with Rafael Nadal in Melbourne (Getty Images)

The fiery Scot has blistered his way into the last eight in the sizzling Melbourne sun with consummate ease, but that will count for little against the Majorcan might of Nadal.

Murray is the only player in the top five in the world without a grand slam to his name. There have been chances, opportunities and glimmers of hope but so far, the 22-year-old has come up short.

And so, faced with a reinvigorated if not invincible Nadal, Murray's first date with destiny of the decade is upon him.

For Murray to conquer he must continue his the flawless form he has shown thus far against opponents of superior quality.

It's a challenge Murray is getting used to. At Wimbledon last year the British number one showed flashes of genius en route to the semi finals but faced with his first true test in the shape of Andy Roddick, he was packing his bags.

At Melbourne Park a year ago Murray marauded into round four only to run into Fernando Verdasco in red-hot form and at Flushing Meadows in 2008, a gruelling semi-final victory over Nadal ensured there was nothing in the tank for the final against Roger Federer.

Fitness is no longer an issue but mentality might be. Murray is adept at seeing off inferior opposition with ruthless aplomb but how he copes with having to absorb lengthy spells of immense pressure from Nadal - sure to be prevalent in Tuesday's encounter - will be a key role in deciding the victor.

In the past Murray has reverted to default mode, gone on the defensive and tried to grind his opponent into submission.

On occasion it has worked but Nadal is not one to submit. Murray has however, adopted a more aggressive approach thus far in Melbourne, should that continue he may have Nadal going weak at the knees.  

"I think I can win," he said. "I think I've got some tactics that work well against him. I'm playing well.

"I just need to play like I have been, and maybe add a bit more if I want to win the tournament."

Nadal has also been impressive in Melbourne but he is not the Nadal of old. His extended absence, forced upon him by his troublesome knees, after defeat at the French Open has taken its toll.

We are to believe that the knee problems are in the past, but the Spaniard has been forced to make adjustments.

While Nadal remains adamant he has not lost any weight, the biceps do not bulge with the ferocity they once did. He no longer strikes quite as much fear into his opponents and he cannot batter them into submission with the utter disdain he once did.

He has also lost all but one of his last 11 matches against opponents in the top ten, but Nadal is not bothered by statistics.

"The numbers are the numbers, so it is probably not the best form of my career against the top ten," stated Nadal.

"You have some up and downs in your career, and probably the last eight months or six months, I had more problem than usual with my knees.

"But I am here to fight. Nobody can ask me for more when I try my best all the time. So if I lose another time in two days, I'm going to try in the next tournament. If not, the next."

Nadal has clearly had the edge when these two have met before, a 7-2 record in his favour are statistics that the Spaniard might care to pay attention to.

That record is trimmed to 3-2 on hard courts however, and Murray can take confidence from pushing Nadal to five sets as a fresh-faced teenager at 2007 Australia Open.

However, if Murray is to reach the last four in Melbourne, he must be aware that Nadal must be taken head on - he will not go quietly into the night.

But when once flawless he is now fallible. Not for the first time, opportunity knocks for Murray.