Wimbledon latest: Sizzling Murray into last eight as Serena bows out

The Frenchman is a hugely talented player and someone Murray has battled against since he was a teenager, but, after a tight first set, it was the fourth seed who dominated to book a place in the quarter-finals for the fourth successive year.

He won 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 6-2, and with either Feliciano Lopez or Lukasz Kubot up next, Murray will be expected to reach a third semi-final in a row.

Murray said: “It was good. I thought I served well, it was very quick out there with the conditions. Both of us were a bit tentative off the ground to start with but I’m happy to get through.”

The clash came three years to the day since the pair played one of Centre Court’s most memorable matches of recent times, with Murray coming back from two sets and a break down to triumph on that occasion.

The Scot did the same against Gasquet in the first round of the French Open last year and therefore took a significant psychological advantage into today’s meeting.

Defending ladies champion Serena Williams has been knocked out in the fourth round, she was beaten 6-3 7-6 (8/6) victory by Marion Bartoli.