Deft Andy Murray advances to first Melbourne quarter-final

Andy Murray used a crafty gameplan to nullify the powerful serving of giant American John Isner and advanced to his first Australian Open quarter-final on Sunday.

The fifth-seeded Murray, who stands 1.91m (6'3") but is still dwarfed by the 2.06m Isner, expertly manouevered his 24-year-old opponent around the court with deft touches and laser accuracy to run out a 7-6 6-3 6-2 victor.

Isner, who won the Auckland Open title last week in New Zealand, had been attempting to make his first grand slam quarter-final on the back of a booming serve and punishing forehand. Murray's superior touch, however, ran the American around the court and he sealed victory with another delicate drop shot that Isner gave up chasing after one step.

Murray will now meet second seed Rafa Nadal or Ivo Karlovic in the quarter-finals.