A tired Andy Murray lost to Radek Stepanek, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, and a sluggish Rafael Nadal survived another three-setter in yesterday's third round of the Paris Masters.

Nadal, the second seed, beat fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, breaking twice in the last three games.

Novak Djokovic and defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had more routine wins, U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro saved seven match points, and 2006 champ Nikolay Davydenko lost but secured one of the two last spots in the ATP World Tour Finals in London this month.

The fourth-seeded Murray couldn't overcome a lack of sleep following his three-set win over James Blake that ended at 1:45 a.m. yesterday morning.

"It's obviously limited recovery after a long match," Murray said. "It's 4 a.m. by the time you get to bed. So it's not perfect preparation for a match. But you still come out and you try and give it your best shot."

Stepanek gained a quarterfinal matchup against fifth-seeded del Potro, who advanced when Fernando Gonzalez retired because of pains in his right knee at 6-7 (6), 7-6 (6).

Nadal will face Tsonga, who beat fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon, 6-2, 6-3, Tsonga can still grab the eighth and last spot in London.

Robin Soderling also has slim hopes of qualifying for the ATP finals following his victory over sixth-seeded Davydenko by 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Despite his loss, Davydenko secured his place when seventh-seeded Fernando Verdasco lost to Marin Cilic, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Soderling plays third-seeded Djokovic, who defeated French qualifier Arnaud Clement, 6-2, 6-2.

OLYMPICS

USOC CALLS ON TAGLIABUE FOR HELP

The U.S. Olympic Committee turned to former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue yesterday to study how its oft-criticized board does business and determine if changes are needed.

Tagliabue was chosen chairman of an independent committee that will look at the board to assess its size, structure and operating practices. Other committee members will be named later.

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

Italian cyclist Matteo Priamo was banned for four years yesterday for providing the endurance-booster CERA to CSF Group Navigare teammate Emanuele Sella. ... Undefeated 5-year-old mare Zenyatta, who beat the boys in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, is preparing for retirement and her future date with a stallion. ... Donald Fehr, Major League Baseball Players Association's executive director, who retired in June, was appointed yesterday to assist the NHL Players' Association in its search for an executive director.