Andy Murray was sent tumbling out of the Dubai Open quarter-finals in straight sets by Nikolay Davydenko on Thursday afternoon.

The British number one lost 7-5 6-4 at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre after a convincing performance by the Russian.

Murray claimed a break point in his opponent's first service game but was unable to take advantage, and he was then forced to save two himself before holding for 2-1 after four deuces.

The British number one had beaten Davydenko in their last three matches, having lost on the first two occasions they met, and he continued with the punishing tactics which had so irritated world number one Roger Federer in their first-round clash.

But Davydenko's powerful groundstrokes meant that he was every inch the scampering Murray's equal in the opening exchanges.

A powerful smash by the Russian after a typically gruelling rally handed him a third break point in the 11th game, and Murray cracked a forehand into the net to concede the first break of the match.

The increasingly infuriated Scot saved a set point with a magnificent backhand return down the line, but he found only the net trying the same trick later in the game as Davydenko took the opening set 7-5.

Murray's inferior first-serve percentage - 59 to Davydenko's 83 - cost him dearly but he held comfortably in the opening game of the second set.

He then turned up the heat to break the Russian to love, and shut out his opponent in his next service game as the tide suddenly turned the world number 11's way.

His ascendancy did not last long, however, as Davydenko got back on terms with a break of his own in the fifth game and then held despite multiple break points in the next.

Davydenko's aggression was paying dividends and Murray was broken again to leave himself serving to stay in the match at 5-3.

He managed that but it was a brief stay of execution as the Russian served out the match.