Two-time former champion Andy Murray was solid on first serve at the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Thursday when he booked a place in the quarter-finals with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over No. 13 seed Lucas Pouille.
Murray will next challenge No. 11 seed David Goffin, who is attempting to clinch a spot at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, to be held at The O2 in London from 13-20 November, for the first time.
Murray capitalised on Pouille’s inexperience, moving towards the net to finish points when the Frenchman floated back sliced backhands. The Scot won the first five games, broke in the first game of the second set and won 95 per cent of his first service points. He converted his third match point opportunity for victory in 78 minutes.
"The start of the match was pretty tight," said Murray. "It was a long first two games and I managed to get through them and was up a break. It was a good start from both of us. Then maybe he started rushing a little bit in the next couple of games, and the first set was pretty much gone. In the second set he changed it up. He started using a bit more slice, he was serve and volleying a bit. He was stepping in on some second-serve returns, sometimes going back. So he tried a lot of different things today. But I came up with some good shots. At the end when I needed them, I was hitting the ball clean and moving well. I didn't give him really many free points."
Murray, who has picked up five titles this year – including at the China Open (d. Dimitrov) last week, has a 62-9 match record and is battling Novak Djokovic to finish year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings.
Goffin fought back from a set and 1-4 deficit to beat fellow Barclays ATP World Tour Finals hopeful, sixth seed Gael Monfils, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 19 minutes. Goffin, now 45-20 on the season, moved up to No. 10 in the Emirates ATP Race To London with three spots left up for grabs. Monfils is next in line to qualify at No. 6 in the battle.
“It wasn’t easy, I needed some time to get used to the surface, which was faster than Centre Court,” said Goffin. “It wasn’t easy to find my rhythm. I began to hit my forehand really well today. I haven’t thought about Murray yet, but I will try to raise my level again and enjoy the moment. I have nothing to lose. It won’t be easy.”