Andy Murray has been given the backing of a man who knows what it is like to win one of his sport's four majors as he prepared to continue his bid to do the same.

The hottest ticket in town at the All England Club was the Aorangi practice courts as Murray was introduced to golf's new US Open champion Rory McIlroy, the Scot enjoying a lengthy chat with the Northern Irishman and John McEnroe.

McIlroy said: "I'm a big tennis fan. I grew up watching Tim Henman here at Wimbledon and cheering him on every summer. And now that's passed over to Andy.

"We're all behind him and hopefully he can win his first grand slam."

Murray is three wins away from breaking his grand slam duck and Spain's Feliciano Lopez should not provide too much of an obstacle in the quarter-finals today.

The 29-year-old produced one of the best performances of the tournament to see off Andy Roddick in straight sets in the third round and is a talented grass-court player, but Murray has beaten him in all four of their previous meetings.

Lopez also had a very draining Monday afternoon when he came from two sets down to defeat Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot to reach the last eight at Wimbledon for the third time.

Things were much easier for Murray, who might have expected a tougher time against 17th seed Richard Gasquet but, after a tight first set, cruised through 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 6-2.

The world number four is happy with his progress so far, particularly the way he battled past Ivan Ljubicic in round three under the Centre Court roof on Friday.

However, he knows he will have to continue to serve as well as he did on Monday, with Rafael Nadal looming in the last four, foot injury permitting.

Murray said: "You just need to keep improving each match. I think the match in the third round, for me, was a really good test. It was a tough match. I thought both of us played well.

"It all comes down to taking your chances when you play against the best players. I played against Rafa at the French Open and I had many break-point opportunities, but I wasn't able to take them.

"For me, serving is very important. If I serve very well then I'll have a chance because my return is normally consistent. I normally give myself quite a few chances to break during matches. If I can be solid on serve, that will make a difference."

Murray would probably have anticipated meeting Roddick, the man he lost to in the semi-finals two years ago, today, and he will be expected to brush aside Lopez without too many problems.

The Scot, though, will take that in his stride, saying: "There's always pressure. In every round there's pressure.

"I think once you get to this stage of the tournament, whoever's getting there is going to have confidence in their game.

"They're going to have been playing very well. You've just got to go out there and play, have the right game plan, get the job done.

"Lopez beat Roddick in the third round in straight sets. He serves very well, has a good slice backhand, plays different to a lot of the Spaniards.

"He likes coming forward a lot. I'll have a lot of passing shots to hit and I'll need to return better."

Murray has been confirmed to lead Great Britain in next month's Davis Cup meeting against Luxembourg.

He will line up in Leon Smith's squad alongside his brother, Jamie, plus James Ward and Colin Fleming.

The Europe/Africa Zone Group II match takes place at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow from July 8-10.

Rafael Nadal insists he is fit and ready to resume his title defence.

Nadal feared his campaign at the All England Club had come to an end when he suffered a foot injury near the beginning of his fourth-round victory over Juan Martin Del Potro.

Any doubts that the world number one would not be able to take part in today's quarter-final against Mardy Fish were dispelled though when he came through a full training session without any sign of discomfort.

The Spaniard, 25, wore tape on the injured left foot, but comfortably came through an hour's session on the Wimbledon practice courts last evening, where he hit with Welsh youngster Evan Hoyt. Nadal laughed and joked with Hoyt and the 100-strong crowd that had gathered to watch.