Murray in quarter-finals of Internazionali BNL d'Italia

Andy Murray moved into the quarter-finals of the Internazionali d'Italia with a comfortable straight-sets victory over Jeremy Chardy on Thursday.

Second seed Murray looked set to cruise into the last eight when he won the first set in just 29 minutes and although Chardy showed some resistance, he was unable to prevent a 6-0 6-4 defeat in Rome.

World number three Murray, without a coach following his split from Amelie Mauresmo this week, will now face David Goffin or Tomas Berdych.

The unseeded Chardy coughed up seven double faults and 27 unforced errors and has now lost eight of his nine matches against the two-time grand-slam champion, who is eyeing his first title in the Eternal City.

Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka suffered surprise defeats at the Foro Italico on Thursday, but Murray turned on the style in the first set and came from behind in the second as he builds momentum before the French Open.

Murray was soon giving Chardy the runaround, mixing up his game with great effect and going a break up after executing a delicate drop-shot before a double fault gifted him a 2-0 advantage.

Chardy was woefully out of sorts and Murray took full advantage, dominating his struggling opponent to wrap up the opening set in less than half an hour when he fizzed a forehand down the line.

World number 32 Chardy finally got on the board by winning his first service game of the second set and grew in confidence, saving three break points before breaking for the first time to go 4-3 up.

Murray was in no mood to hang around, though, and he responded by reeling off three games in a row to book his progress.