Andy Murray withdraws from Madrid Open ahead of last-16 clash against Novak Djokovic due to illness

Andy Murray has withdrawn from the Madrid Open due to illness, just hours before his last-16 match against Novak Djokovic on Thursday.

The long-time rivals were scheduled to start the day's play at the Estadio Manolo Santana. However, the tournament's Twitter page announced that the Scot pulled out of the match owing to illness. Instead, Andrey Rublev and Dan Evans will start the day's play.

"Unfortunately, Andy Murray is unable to take to the Manolo Santana Stadium due to illness. We wish you a speedy recovery Andy Murray. Instead, Andrey Rublev and Daniel Evans will open the day's play on centre court."

It was an unfortunate turn of events for Murray, who reached the third round of a tournament for the first time since the Sydney Tennis Classic in January. He beat Dominic Thiem and Denis Shapovalov in the Spanish capital to set up a 37th meeting with Djokovic.

Murray's withdrawal means Djokovic is through to the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open. The Serb had beaten Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2 in the second round.

Novak Djokovic will face Hubert Hurkacz or Dusan Lajovic in the quarterfinals

Novak Djokovic faces either Hubert Hurkacz or Dusan Lajovic in the quarterfinals

In the last eight, Novak Djokovic will face either 12th seed Hubert Hurkacz or compatriot Dusan Lajovic.

The Pole reached the third round following hard-fought victories over Hugo Dellien and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Lajovic, meanwhile, had to qualify for the main draw, where he beat Borna Coric in the first round. He then produced one of the biggest upsets in the competition so far by defeating fifth seed Casper Ruud 7-6(7), 2-6, 6-4.

Djokovic has played only nine matches so far this season, triumphing in six of them. After exiting the Dubai Tennis Championships in the quarterfinals, the Serb was ousted in the second round of the Monte-Carlo Masters by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

He reached the final of the Serbia Open with hard-fought wins over Laslo Djere, Miomir Kecmanovic and Karen Khachanov. However, the Serb lost to Andrey Rublev in three sets in the final.

If Djokovic wins his quarterfinal match, he could face either Rafael Nadal or Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal and potentially Alexander Zverev or Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.