Murray eases into Australian Open quarter-finals

Andy Murray reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for a consecutive fourth year in a row with a comfortable straight set win over Gilles Simon 6-3 6-1 6-3.

The British number one has yet to drop a set in four matches and enters the final stages as fresh as he could possibly hope for.

It was always going to be an uphill task for Simon, who had endured a five set epic against Gael Monfils in the third round just 24hours earlier.

Simon, 28, said he had “completely lost control” during the gruelling four hours and 43 minutes required to see off Gael Monfils in round three, and gave himself little chance of challenging Murray.

Murray broke Simon in the opening game and although the Scot dropped his own serve he recovered to lead 2-1. And as Murray found he rhythm he broke again en route to the first set, while he made it four games on a bounce to open up a 2-0 lead in the second set.

Simon, the 14th seed, responded again, however he simply couldn’t hold his own serve as Murray broke twice more the claim the set.

The 28-year-old did show plenty of flair at the net but that was nowhere near enough to trouble Murray, who secured his seventh break of the match at the start of the third set.

Murray will now face another Frenchman, Jeremy Chardy in the last eight on Wednesday.