Andy Murray enjoying being centre of attention

Andy Murray admitted he feels at home under the spotlight of important grand slam matches following his quarter-final victory over Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open yesterday.

The 22-year-old dominated the world number two and defending champion in arguably the best performance of his career before Nadal was forced to retire with a knee injury trailing 6-3 7-6 (7/2) 3-0.

The match had been given top-billing under the lights of the Rod Laver Arena and, while it did have to take a back-seat for 10 minutes during a fireworks display to celebrate Australia Day, the 15,000 capacity crowd were otherwise captivated.

It was an absorbing contest with the steely-eyed Murray proving his fight as he twice fought back from a break down in the opening sets before claiming them.

Afterwards the Scot admitted he had revelled in the limelight.

"I was really looking forward to playing Rafa," said Murray, who will meet 14th seed Marin Cilic in the last four tomorrow night in a night-session match at Rod Laver Arena.

"I guess at the end of your career, they're the sort of matches that you remember.

"To get the chance to play against him on centre court at the Australian Open is something I would have loved to have done when I was a kid growing up.

"You need to try and have that same sort of mentality when you start playing on the tour, in the big matches - you have to remember how you felt when you were young.

"These matches don't come around that often. When they do, you have to make sure you enjoy them."
Murray said it was not until his run to the final of the US Open that he believed he belonged in the company of the world's best players.

"I think like after the US Open in 2008, when I reached the final there, on the way I won against Rafa and (Juan Martin) Del Potro - that was really when I started to feel like I could compete at the very highest level of the game," he said.

"I think definitely now I'm ready to win a grand slam and hopefully I can do it here."

Murray's star status was underlined with boxer Ricky Hatton sitting among his entourage.

Hatton is set to remain in Melbourne for Murray's semi-finals clash with Cilic and the Scot, who is an avid boxing fan, admitted to being slightly-star struck after meeting him for the first time.

"Ricky is going to come for the next match. I think he said he was leaving on Friday to go to Sydney," he said.

"That was pretty cool (that he came to watch). I'm a huge boxing fan and I'd never met him before.

"I spoke to him for 15 or 20 minutes after the match. He's a really, really nice guy."