Spain's Rafael Nadal returns a ball during a second round tennis match against Latvia's Ernests Gulbis of the Masters in Madrid of Spain, Oct. 14, 2008. Nadal won 2-1. (Xinhua/Chen Haitong) Photo Gallery>>>

    MADRID, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Nadal put on a winning thriller in front of a sold-out home crowd as he launched a quest for a second title at the Madrid Masters on Tuesday.

    The top seed who claimed his only trophy in the capital in 2005,rallied past upcoming Latvian Ernests Gulbis 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 riding a late break in the final set to victory.

    Nadal, holder of eight titles this season including Paris, Wimbledon and the Olympics, has stalled in the quarter-final at the last two Madrid Masters.

    "It was a very tough match and important one to win," said the relieved Nadal. "Gulbis is young with a great future ahead of him. "

    Nadal will play on Thursday against French 15th seed Richard Gasquet, a winner over Mardy Fish 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-3.

    Scot Andy Murray stormed to the third round as Simone Bolelli 6-0, 2-1 retired.

    American James Blake maintained his dismal, winless record in Madrid with the frustrated 11th seed crashing out to on-form Frenchman Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.

    Blake's potential for a spot in China for Masters Cup is endangered if Swiss Stan Wawrinka can do well this week while standing tenth in the points race one spot behind the fading Blake.

    In first-round matches, Germany's Philip Kohlschreiber stopped Spanish hero Carlos Moya 6-2, 6-2 while Marcel Granollers of Spain beat Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-4.