Cincinnati Masters: Andy Murray through to last eight with victory over Julien Benneteau

World No 2 will now face Tommy Robredo or fifth seed Tomas Berdych

Murray defeated the 31-year-old Frenchman 6-2 6-2 (Getty)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray made light work of Julien Benneteau to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters.

The world number two, who bounced back from a surprise early exit in Montreal by beating Mikhail Youzhny in Wednesday's second round, needed only an hour and 10 minutes to defeat 31-year-old Frenchman Benneteau 6-2 6-2.

The first set was a cruise for Scotland's Murray as three aces and a 75 per cent success rate on his return of serve put the former world number 15 firmly under the cosh.

Benneteau would show flashes of inspiration as the second set got under way but Murray - champion here in 2011 - was largely wise to his range of forehand shots and steadily ground down the Frenchman's resolve at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

Murray's reward is a last-eight meeting with Tommy Robredo or fifth seed Tomas Berdych.

PA