Simon too simple for Murray

Andy Murray continued his serene progress at the Monte Carlo Masters with a straight-sets demolition of Gilles Simon.

The British number one followed up his victory over Radek Stepanek in the previous round with an equally-impressive 6-3 6-3 triumph on Thursday.

Murray will now fancy his chances of progressing into the last four after his next opponent, Frederico Gil, was a surprise third-round victor over eighth-seed Gael Monfils earlier in the day.

Murray had taken control of his third round encounter with Simon early in the piece, however an ankle injury sustained by the Frenchman enabled the Scot to turn the screw.

The world number four broke in the first game of the match but Simon hit back immediately. The next four games went with serve, before Murray took control by breaking in the seventh game.

Jeers

The Scot held serve comfortably and - after an impressive backhand down the line - he moved to within a point of the first set with a chip shot that Simon could only hit the net with.

On the next point Simon picked up the injury which was to prove his downfall. Racing to return at the baseline he turned his right ankle - although Murray hit his attempt long.

After a lengthy spell of treatment Simon resumed and put a backhand into the net - then hit a forehand long to give Murray, who won when this pair met at the corresponding stage of last year's Wimbledon, the first set.

Simon won the first game of the second against the serve but was clearly struggling with the injury, pulling up again in the next game - which Murray won.

The Scot ruthlessly employed several drop shots to turn the screw in the next few games, making his stricken opponent pound the court and bringing jeers from the fans as he cruised 4-1 ahead.

Murray eases past Simon

Simon had chances to hold serve but was broken again in the sixth game - although he gave his supporters something to cheer when he accepted a third opportunity to break and reduced the deficit to 5-2 with a forehand which was too hot for Murray, then held serve.

However, the three-time grand slam finalist rediscovered his touch in the 10th game, giving himself three match points.

Although battling Simon saved the first one with another powerful forehand return, he hit the second one long to bring a roar from Murray at wrapping up victory.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, Murray said: "I thought it was a good match until he got hurt.

"Once I got my position on the court and could use my forehand to open the court on his backhand I was able to dictate a lot of the points - then he got his injury.

Gil challenge

"It changed the match. You always feel you are in the driving seat but it's not a lot of fun...it spoils the concentration.

""You know you are in the driving seat and you want to put the foot down and finish the match as efficiently as possible.

"Drop shots were winning me virtually every single point - I had to keep moving him.

Next up for the Scot is Portuguese qualifier Gil, who secured a 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 victory over Monfils - with Rafael Nadal the likely semi-final opponent for the victor.

On his next challenge, Murray added: "I don't know a lot about him (Gil) - but I watched his game.

"He did well in Estoril and can play well on clay, he's proved that by getting to the quarters here this week. I'll have to be on my game tomorrow."