Andy Murray has turned in a clinical performance to join Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, David Ferrer and Milos Raonic in the next round of the Paris Masters.
The two-time grand slam winner, who was absent last year after undergoing back surgery, overcame the challenge of French world No.28 Julien Benneteau on Wednesday and advanced to the last 16, 6-3 6-4.
“It’s a lot easier here to finish points than it was last week (in Valencia), the court is a bit quicker, lower bouncing, so you can come into the net a bit as well,” said Murray following his victory.
The 27-year-old Scot will now meet Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who crushed Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay 6-0 6-3, for a place in the quarter-finals.
Federer, the 2011 Paris champion, showed nerves of steel as he saved four sets points in the opening frame before wearing down plucky Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (5-7) 6-4.
The Swiss world No.2 was pushed all the way by Chardy, and had two match points in the second set, before eventually grinding down his opponent.
If Murray, who won his third tournament of the season at Valencia on Sunday, wins his next match he will guarantee qualification for the Finals in London.
Murray dictated play with pinpoint accuracy and although Benneteau put up some second set resistance the result was never in doubt.
Also on Wednesday, world No.4 Stan Wawrinka snapped a three-game losing streak as he qualified for the third round with a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) victory over Dominic Thiem.
The Swiss 29-year-old came through a tight match against the Austrian to book a meeting with big-serving South African Kevin Anderson.
“I’m trying to find my confidence, I have some victories but I know that my level of game is there. What I still miss is winning matches,” said Wawrinka, who won his first grand slam at the Australian Open in January and admitted he remained surprised by his recent rise into the top five.
“I’m so happy, I didn’t think I would be able to be ranked so high, but I had ups and downs. In the summer I didn’t play very well and I had bad moments, although I did well in the US Open.
“I wouldn’t change anything and I know I have a good level of game. I know things can change quickly; I can lose first round and I can also go very far in a tournament, so the important thing is really to concentrate on improving my level.”
Former champion and fourth seed David Ferrer also advanced as he subdued the talents of rising Belgian David Goffin 6-3 2-6 6-3 to set up an all-Spanish third round tie against Fernando Verdasco.
Earlier, Raonic and 11th seed Roberto Bautista-Agut also enjoyed wins.
