French Open 2015: Andy Murray proud of his strike rate at Grand Slams as he beats Jeremy Chardy to reach quarter-finals

The Scot won 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-2 at Roland Garros and now faces David Ferrer

Andy Murray celebrates after beating Jeremy Chardy in the French Open to reach the quarter-finals at Roland Garros (AP)

Andy Murray's Wimbledon and US Open titles and his Olympic gold medal are clearly his greatest achievements but the Scot is also “very, very proud” of his remarkable record of consistency at the highest level.

In beating Jérémy Chardy 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the fourth round of the French Open, Murray is through to his 17th successive Grand Slam quarter-final.

The last time the world No 3 failed to make the last eight of a Grand Slam event – if you discount the 2013 French Open, which he missed through injury – was the 2010 US Open, where he lost to Stan Wawrinka in the third round.

The all-time list of consecutive quarter-final appearances in the Open era is headed by Roger Federer (36), Jimmy Connors (27) and Novak Djokovic (24). Murray is in fourth place, ahead of a host of great names, including Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl.

Murray has talked in the past about the challenges of playing on clay, but even here his consistency has shone through. In eight appearances at Roland Garros he has now reached the quarter-finals five times.

While Murray was never a pushover on clay, he is rapidly building a reputation as a major contender on the surface. This was his 14th consecutive victory on terre battue and if he beats David Ferrer in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, he will equal his record unbeaten run on all surfaces, which he set in the autumn of 2011.

“In terms of the history of the game, there are not loads of players who have been that consistent at these events,” Murray said of his recent Grand Slam record. “It’s something that I look at and I’m very, very proud of.

“I’m glad I’ve managed to maintain that consistency even when I’ve had some tough periods over the last couple of years with the injuries and the back.”

Referring, in particular, to Federer’s remarkable records – the Swiss has also played in 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals and 23 consecutive semi-finals – Murray added: “Unfortunately, I’m playing against guys who make some of the things I have done look pretty average because of how good they have been.”

Chardy, a big-hitting Frenchman with a powerful serve, gave Murray his biggest test of the tournament so far. The world No 45 had described his victory over David Goffin in the previous round as the best match of his life and his confidence was clear. He attacked at every opportunity, knowing it would not be in his interest to be drawn into too many long rallies. In the second set, in particular, his big hitting paid a rich dividend.

Murray, nevertheless, kept focused throughout, knowing that Chardy was playing a high-risk game. In going for his shots, the Frenchman made plenty of mistakes, especially towards the end.

He regularly missed drive volleys and forehands and his tally of unforced errors (56) was more than double Murray’s (26). Ten double faults did not help Chardy’s cause, either.

Andy Murray hits a stunning return (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

After playing his first two matches on the main show court, Murray returned to Court Suzanne Lenglen for the second round in succession. The sun shone brightly, but with the temperature at 16C, and with a breeze blowing, it was not particularly warm.

Murray played an excellent opening set, making only two unforced errors, but in the second set he paid for not taking his chances. The Scot failed to convert any of five break points in Chardy’s first two service games and the Frenchman took the set with a single break in the fourth game.

Chardy was flying at this stage and broke again in the opening game of the third set with a superb backhand return, only to drop his own serve in the following game. The turning point of the match came when Chardy double-faulted on break point at 3-4, upon which Murray served out for the set.

The Scot broke three times in the fourth set and completed his victory after two hours and 51 minutes with a wrong-footing forehand winner.

Murray, who has now won his last 12 matches against opponents playing in their home Grand Slam tournament, said he had enjoyed the lively atmosphere on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

“The whole crowd was pretty pumped from the beginning of the match,” he said. “For me, it felt like it was a high-quality match. I enjoy playing that way. It was for sure the best match I have played in this tournament so far.”

Ferrer, who lost to Rafael Nadal in his only Grand Slam final here two years ago, earned his place in the last eight by beating Marin - 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. Murray has won nine of their 15 meetings, but Ferrer has won all four of their encounters on clay. The Spaniard won in four sets in their only meeting here, in the quarter-finals in 2012.