Murray holds off Russell

California - Fourth seed Andy Murray suffered a late wobble before beating American Michael Russell 6-3 7-5 to reach the Indian Wells ATP tournament quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Murray, beaten in last year's final by Spain's Rafael Nadal, appeared to be cruising to a routine victory when he led by a set and 5-2 but Russell offered dogged resistance to extend the Scot who was not at his best.

Russell played an inspired game to break Murray's serve and claw back to 5-5 but the 31-year-old American faltered at 5-6 and netted a backhand at matchpoint down.

"He hits it solid from the back of the court and stays close to the baseline," Briton Murray said on court after his first meeting with Russell. "He's very quick, has a great attitude and made it difficult for me.

"I started well and was up in the second but he started to make me move whereas earlier I was dictating. The points were getting longer and longer."

Murray will face either American James Blake or Spain's Nicolas Almagro for a place in the semi-finals.

Later on Tuesday world number one Roger Federer meets Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.