Murray sees off Berlocq

Andy Murray eventually quietened a noisy Carlos Berlocq to reach the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in straight sets.

British number one Murray was rattled not only by the quality of his opponent's play but also by the grunting coming from his opponent, an issue more often associated with the women's game.

Murray, who twice battled from a break down in the first set, showed his displeasure more than once, but ultimately battled to a 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 win.

After Berlocq broke in game three, Murray immediately forced a break-back point, but Berlocq saved it with a sweet backhand down the line and held for 3-1.

Berlocq was playing out of his skin and Murray had to be at his best to force two more break points in the next game, and he converted thanks to a rare backhand error from the Argentinian.

At that stage it looked like Murray might pull away, but it was not to be as Berlocq broke again for a 5-4 lead.

A double fault from the Argentinian gave Murray two break-back points, though, and he converted at the second attempt.

The set went to a tie-break and the key moment came when Berlocq pulled a forehand into the tramlines to give his opponent two set points - and the Argentinian handed it to Murray when he pushed an overhead long after some great defence from his opponent.

A backhand error from Berlocq gave Murray an immediate break at the start of the second set.

Berlocq broke back for 2-2, though, and a clearly frustrated Murray complained about the noise coming from his opponent after he passed up two opportunities to re-establish his advantage in the next game.

The break did come, though, as a neat lob gave him a 4-3 advantage and when Murray, thanks to an ace, saved a break point to hold, Berlocq was serving to stay in the match at 5-3.

He succeeded, but Murray made no mistake and completed a testing victory which put him through to a last-eight clash with either Tommy Haas or Juan Martin Del Potro.

After the win, Murray accused Berlocq of gamesmanship after becoming frustrated by the Argentinian's grunting.

He told the BBC: "It was extremely, extremely loud, more than what I have experienced from any other player on the tour.

"It's like sometimes silence and then it comes out of nowhere. It's a bit of a shock.

"That's what I don't understand. To go from nothing to the loudest grunt you can do. It makes no sense.

"When I have been on the court or off it, it's never been something I have found to be really that off-putting.

"But if it's going to be suggested that I am using gamesmanship by taking too long, then you can't be making noises like that on the court. I haven't experienced it like that before."