1531: A professional effort that, then, from Murray, who only needed to show the odd glimpse of his genius on his way to a relatively simple victory. He will go on to face the winner of Fernando Verdasco against Tommy Robredo, who play tonight, in the last four and he will hope to continue to impress with one eye on next week's Paris Masters and the World Tour Finals in London later this month. Jubbly.

*Murray 6-4 6-2 Montanes
Montanes hints at making life difficult for Murray by taking the first two points on the back of some brutal groundstrokes, and after the Scot eases his way back to 30-30, he forces only his second break point of the match with a backhand winner. Murray bangs an unreturnable serve down the 'T' to save it, though, and follows up with an ace and perfect forehand winner to the corner on his way to a comfortable victory. Job done.
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*Murray 6-4 5-2 Montanes
Good guts shown by Montanes as he forces a couple of errors from Murray on his way to three game points, the Spaniard then ensuring his opponent must serve for the match with a fine forehand on the run.
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Murray 6-4 5-1 Montanes*
Special from Murray as he flicks a forehand half-volley winner from practically behind him for the second time in the match on his way to 40-15 up. The Scot punches into the net next point, but Montanes sends his next return long and the fat lady is clearing her throat in the stands.
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*Murray 6-4 4-1 Montanes
An element of respectability for Montanes as he avoids the second-set bagel with a hold to 15, Murray slightly taking his foot off the pedal in preparation for a late-set onslaught I'd wager.
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Murray 6-4 4-0 Montanes*
A set and a double break down - so Montanes starts to bring out the party tricks. A beautiful lob precedes a delightful backhand down the line and the Spaniard finds himself 30-0 up against serve. It's as good as it gets for the home favourite, though, as Murray puts his weight behind a couple of forehands and an excellent touch volley on his way to the hold.
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*Murray 6-4 3-0 Montanes
Oh ho - even a broken string cannot halt Murray's progress as he laughs in the face of the snapping 'cat gut' to launch a crosscourt forehand winner and bring up two break points. Montanes rallies to save it with some good aggressive play, but the Spaniard twice finds the net thereafter to hand Murray another chance - one the Scot takes when Montanes pushes yet another forehand wide.
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Sebadono on 606: "Starting to move better - the timing coming back - the odd sit-up-and-whack me second serve - the more than occasional top class flourish - Murray getting back to where he was."

Murray 6-4 2-0 Montanes*
A glimpse at Montanes' threat from the baseline as he kerplunks a doozy of a backhand down the line, but Murray shows all his class and variety to hold out easily enough.
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*Murray 6-4 1-0 Montanes
The first set begins much like the first - with a break to Murray. Montanes kicks off with a double fault and Murray then produces two splendid forehand winners - one down the line, the other crosscourt on the run - on his way to three break points, only for Montanes to battle his way back to deuce. Muzza brushes it off, though, and Montanes' failure to return a couple of brutal groundstrokes only serves to underline Murray's advantage.
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Murray 6-4 Montanes*
Bosh. Done. Simples. Montanes offers minimal resistance as Murray closes out the set with his eyes closed. Not literally, of course, he had to find his way back to his seat after four easy points for example, but he might as well have. Set one - job done.
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Biscuits on 606: "No sign of any wrist (or back) trouble, but Murray is looking a bit more puffed than normal after the long rallies, which is to be expected. Magnificent drop-shot to rebreak - he's looking better now."

*Murray 5-4 Montanes
How many times does Murray's mobility earn him points others can only dream of? Making Montanes play that one extra shot pays dividends on a couple of occasions, bringing up break point, and a sensational drop shot from behind the baseline means the Scot will serve for the set.
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Murray 4-4 Montanes*
Much better from Murray - the Scot finding his first serve out wide, coming into the net, and then pulverising a couple of winners on his way to a hold to 15.
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*Murray 3-4 Montanes
Murray looks a little caught between aggression and safety-first at the moment, but he is asking enough questions of Montanes's backhand to keep himself interested when receiving. He fails to make the most of a break point opportunity, though, and a super backhand down the line earns Montanes the lead for the first time in the match - and prompts a hissy fit of spoilt teenager proportions from Murray. Expect a Murray backlash, says I.
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Murray 3-3 Montanes*
Murray, who has won all but one point on his first serve, throws down a few too many second serves and Montanes earns break point when the Scot punts a groundstroke into the net. The Spaniard pounces on the chance as Murray sends a backhand inches wide, and we're back level.
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*Murray 3-2 Montanes
Better service game from Montanes, aided by a few more first serves landing in, and after Murray guides a lovely backhand winner on the rise, the Spaniard holds to 15 with a good reach at the net.
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Murray 3-1 Montanes*
Murray still struggling with his passing shots down the line and when another hits the net he finds himself 30-30. A brilliant forehand onto the baseline and ace secure him the game, though, and the two-game advantage is restored.
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*Murray 2-1 Montanes
Murray punches a delightful crosscourt backhand winner, but he cannot prevent Montanes getting on the board as he fails to return a couple of a well-directed serves. Maybe now the Spaniard will settle a touch.
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Murray 2-0 Montanes*
Montanes, who has never beaten a top-10 player on a hard surface, looked weak on his serve in that last game and is now looking poor on the volley - not the greatest signs when facing someone like Murray. Still a wonderful crosscourt forehand at 15-0 hints at where his strengths lie... before Murray booms down an ace and two unreturnable serves on his way to a hold to 30.
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* Murray 1-0 Montanes
Montanes opens up with an ace and then pushes and pulls Murray round the court to go 30-0 up, but a couple of cheap points levels it up for the Scot. Patient play from Murray earns a break point when Montanes goes long, a trick the Spaniard repeats next point and it's an immediate break of serve.
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1414: Here we go - Montanes to serve first.

1407: The players are out on court warming up now - a routine made all the more necessary, perhaps, by the fact that Murray complained that the indoor arena was "the coldest I've ever played in" after his win over Mayer yesterday. I am steadfastly refusing to perform my worringly accurate Larry Grayson impression ("shut that door")... but you get the idea.

duggietoo on 606: "Murray "should" get past Montanes, but he's going to have problems as soon as he meets his peer group - unless theres a big change up."

1402: This is only Murray's third match since a six-week lay-off with a wrist injury, lest we forget, and after looking far from convincing against Mayer on Thursday, it will be interesting to see how he holds up with next week's Paris Masters in mind - by his own admission this week is more about preparation for that rather than success here. Still, he'll be going all out for the win today, for sure and while Montanes may be 30 places below the Scot in the rankings, he's got plenty of weapons to hurt what might be an out-of-touch Muzza, that's for sure - as something of a claycourt specialist, just watch his groundstrokes. We're minutes away from the start now, peeps.

1357: As always, you can get involved in a massive way today via text on 81111 or over on 606 where pottiella has prepared for you all a lovely preview. Feel free to chew the fat over there on anything you like - particularly Andy Murray and Swingball, though. Obviously.

1355: With the players due to get going at around 1400, let me hit you with some knowledge. Murray has faced Montanes twice before, winning on both occasions at Indian Wells and Doha last year. Murray is here courtesy of a hard-fought three-set win over Argentine Leonardo Mayer, while Montanes advanced to this stage thanks to a walkover against the injured David Ferrer. The winner faces Fernando Verdasco or Tommy Robredo in the last four. Oh, and Murray - according to his website - first picked up a tennis racquet aged two and played his first games aged three "first with sponge balls against the wall indoors and then outside on Swingball". Which is nice.

1350: Just when you were wondering how you were going to wile away the last remaining hours of your Friday afternoon in the office, we bring you this - live text commentary of Andy Murray v Albert Montanes. It is a quarter-final at the Valencia Open and the British number one is looking to hit his straps ahead of next week's Paris Masters and the ATP World Tour Finals in London later this month. So minimise your 'normal' work and get the brews in - today's work-shy opportunity is on us. You're welcome.