Andy Murray must defeat Frenchman Gilles Simon tomorrow to set up a 21st birthday clash with world No2 Rafael Nadal in Hamburg on Thursday.
Murray marked the first anniversary of the serious wrist injury he suffered at the tournament by recording a straight-sets, first-round win over Russian Dmitry Tursunov.
The British No1 now takes on Simon, with Spain's king of clay looming in the next round.
Murray's only completed match on clay last year - before he injured his wrist - resulted in a battling defeat by Simon in Rome.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "It was a tough match in Rome, but I'm feeling confident I can win this time."