MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Andy Murray had been warned about the fireworks, the crackle and dazzling burst of colour that lights the sky to mark Australia Day celebrations.

So the pyrotechnics came as no surprise in the second set against defending champion Rafael Nadal. What he didn’t expect was the fizzle at the end.

Nadal quit their quarter-final while trailing, 6-3, 7-6 (2), 3-0, yesterday, not long after he’d taken a medical timeout to treat his right knee. His concession came five games and a tiebreaker after he tripped and fell following the fireworks delay at Rod Laver Arena.

Murray was convinced he would have beaten Nadal even if the match had gone the distance. He’s also confident in the semifinals when he meets Marin Cilic of overturning their last result — a Cilic win at the US Open — and reaching his second Grand Slam final.

“When the big moments came in the match, I thought I dictated what happened,” Murray said. “From my side, I played really well and deserved to be up when the match was stopped.”

Nadal tweaked his knee in the 11th game of a second set that had already been interrupted for nine minutes by fireworks. Both players had been told in advance about the break, although both took time to readjust to match conditions.

Nadal’s fall six games later sent a murmur around the stadium, but he eased concern by playing a shot by instinct as he sat near the baseline. Murray won that point, but Nadal held serve in the game and celebrated with a flurry of wild, double-arm pumps as if he’d won a final.

He didn’t show any outward signs of being hurt until calling for a medical timeout while serving in the second game of the third set. He took a three-minute break while the trainer worked on his right knee. He played only 13 more points before walking to the net and shaking Murray’s hand.

Britain hasn’t had a men’s major winner since Fred Perry in 1936. Nadal predicted Murray could end the wait by winning this title.

“For Andy, I think he deserves to win his first Grand Slam,” Nadal said. “And I think he’s going to do it.

“There’s a very good chance for him. First thing, he’s playing very well. Second thing, he’s already in the semi-finals. He’s only two matches away.”