Brit grit wilts

But the 18th seed fought back hard and used all his experience against the 18-year-old ranked 312 in the world and who was playing in only his seventh match on the main tour.

After Nalbandian had levelled the match at two sets apiece, a cramping Murray, who needed courtside treatment, ran out of steam in the decider and bowed out following three hours and 13 minutes of high drama on Centre Court. The Argentine will run into another teenager on Monday, France’s Richard Gasquet, as he aims to reach the last eight for the first time since his runner-up finish in 2002.