Murray moves closer to Masters spot

The British number one struggled for his best form throughout the game despite the 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 scoreline and produced a handful of double faults and unforced errors.

He may need to do better next time out, when he could face Novak Djokovic, as he bids to make the quarter-finals and edge out Tommy Haas, Tommy Robredo and James Blake who are also hoping to finish in the top eight and a place in Shanghai.

Murray opened on serve and started confidently, winning the game to love despite a couple of second serves.

The Scot did not allow his opponent anything quite so simple in the following game, with the pair exchanging advantages a number of times at deuce as the number 15 seed sensed a break.

Both men spurned chances to seal the game before Nieminen produced a worthy winner with a well-hit forehand.

Murray again served to love to keep the pressure on the Finn and play continued to follow serve as the players moved to 4-4.

Murray started the 10th game with a fine winner after opening up the court with a exquisitely-timed drop shot - a tactic he employed with considerable success in the St Petersburg Open final against Fernando Verdasco last week - but the Finn fought back well.

Murray then showed the first signs of vulnerability, handing his rival two break points before holding off what would have been a highly-profitable break for the 26-year-old.

The Scot won the ensuing tie-breaker 7-5 but double-faulted again at the first time of asking as the second set started.

Nevertheless, both men re-started where they left off and there were no early break points, although Murray started to look increasingly tetchy.

Nieminen took advantage to break Murray just one point after having a winner overturned following an on-court appeal.

But the first break of the match was followed immediately by another as Murray levelled the scores before following up with a second consecutive break, producing a clinical cross-court volley at the net to seal his third successive game.

The 20-year-old then closed the set 6-3 to wrap up the tie.

After the match, Murray said: "I think all the players are thinking about it (the Masters Cup).

"But the last round was disappointing, everyone won. Robredo won, Haas won, Berdych won, (Guillermo) Canas won.

"I need these guys to lose to have a shot.

"But I'm just happy to be in with a chance after missing three months with a wrist injury."