Andy Murray has sailed into the last four of the Australian Open with a comfortable straight-sets win over Jeremy Chardy.
He will now face the winner of the last quarter-final between Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, which takes place on Rod Laver Arena in today's night session.
The Scot took control from the first game, taking a 0-30 lead before Chardy dragged himself level. Murray still went on to break after the Frenchman dumped a volley into the net.
He got the double break to go 4-0 up, before Chardy woke up to get one of them back, finally showing signs that he had arrived in the contest.
After holding his own serve, the world number 36 looked like he might threaten Murray's once again, only for the US Open champion to find a trademark swinging serve down the middle just when he needed it most.
Murray served out for a one-set lead, and went ahead early in the second as well. A delightful lob from deep set up three break points, but he needed just one for a 2-1 advantage.
The 25-year-old again got the double break for insurance, but this time there was no fightback from Chardy, who looked to have the fight drained out of him.
He ended with a double fault to gift Murray the second set.
The third seed's dominance continued in the third as he once again broke at the first time of asking and was producing arguably his best tennis all week.
Murray broke once again at 4-1 to serve for the set, but played a loose game to give away his serve for the second time in the match.
However, it proved to be inconsequential as he secured his eighth break in the next game to wrap up a 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory in just one hour and 52 minutes.
Michael Penkman
