No.3 seed Andy Murray continued his seamless progression through the Australian Open draw on Wednesday, trouncing unseeded Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in straight sets in the quarter-finals.

The British star needed only one hour and 51 minutes to see off Chardy’s challenge 6-4 6-1 6-2 and set up a semi-final date with Roger Federer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Murray, the reigning US Open champion, has yet to drop a set in five matches at Melbourne Park this year.

The loss brought to an end the 25-year-old Chardy’s best grand slam campaign.

He had beaten seeds in each of the previous three rounds, with his best victory the tough five-setter over No.6 Juan Martin del Potro from Argentina in the third round.