However, the Majorcan fought back to secure a 4-6 6-2 6-2 victory, to continue his unbeaten record on clay-courts this season, securing his 14th successive win in the process.
In Tunis you can see the tomb of a Majorcan friar who studied Islam in Bologna and then moved to north Africa where he became a learned and distinguished Muslim.
Nadal was inspired as a youngster by fellow Majorcan Carlos Moya who won the French Open in 1998, backing up the double success for Spain's Sergi Bruguera in 1993 and 1994.
Murray had beaten Nadal on three of their seven previous encounters but fell just short of matching the Majorcan at critical moments, notably in the second set, which went to a tie break.