Britain's Andy Murray secured his place in the quarter-finals of the French Open after beating American John Isner in straight sets at Roland Garros.
The second seed began the tournament scraping through back-to-back five-setters but has been a model of efficiency since and has his eyes fixed firmly on a first title at Roland Garros. Isner took a 0-5 career record against Murray on to a murky Court Suzanne Lenglen but he stuck manfully to his task in the first set, denying the Briton the slightest whiff of a break.
The 15th seed had three set points in the tie-break, the first of which, when serving at 6-5, he will be rueing.
Murray reacted superbly to return a booming first serve and Isner then failed to make the most of an inviting mid-court forehand, giving the Briton the chance to ram a backhand past him as he advanced to the net.
Three-times Roland Garros semi-finalist Murray converted his second set point when Isner hit a forehand wide. After a rain delay, the second set proved another tight tussle before Isner cracked under pressure at 4-5 - Murray breaking for the first time to move two sets clear with the help of a delightful angled drop shot.
It was routine after that for Murray who will play Frenchman Richard Gasquet after the hosts' last man standing defeated fifth seed Kei Nishikori in four sets.
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