Murray books London place, Federer eases through

Britain's Andy Murray returns a ball to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov during the third round match at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament at the Bercy Palais-Omnisport (POPB) in Paris. (AFP/MIGUEL MEDINA)

PARIS: Andy Murray guaranteed his place at the World Tour Finals on Thursday (Oct 30) while Roger Federer joined him in the Paris Masters quarter-finals to keep his quest for the number one spot alive.

Murray played almost flawless tennis as he breezed to a 6-3, 6-3 third-round victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. The 27-year-old Scot, who also stays on course for a fourth tournament victory in just six weeks, will now play either world number one Novak Djokovic or French showman Gael Monfils on Friday for a semi-final place.

Murray joins Djokovic, Federer, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic in reaching the season-ending showpiece in London with David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Kei Nishikori in possession of the other three spots but not yet assured places. Canada's Milos Raonic is now the only player who can gatecrash the top eight but needs to win the Paris tournament to guarantee his place.

Federer kept the pressure on Djokovic in the race for the year-ending number one spot with a gritty 6-4, 6-4 victory over French world number 176 Lucas Pouille.

A crucial break for the 17-time Grand Slam winner in the seventh game of the second set, the longest of the match, paved the way for victory over Pouille, who came through as a qualifier and had only recorded one Tour-level win before Paris this week. It was Federer's 14th straight victory and sets up a quarter-final matchup against Raonic.

"It was a difficult match against an opponent who had nothing to lose but I played well even if he put me under pressure and I'm very satisfied," said Federer. "I feel pretty good and fresh in my head despite a lot of matches lately so now looking forward to tomorrow (Friday)."

Murray aimed a humourous retort at critics who have accused him of having had a poor season by writing "Bad Year!" on the courtside camera lens after his match. "No, it wasn't a jibe, it's a bit of fun," Murray said.

"I mean, if people are going to ask me all the time why I've had such a poor year by my standards, then, yeah, you're allowed sometimes to say something in response to that.

"It's been a hard year, a tough year, but it hasn't been a bad year and it could have been a lot worse. Coming back from a surgery (on his back) is not easy at all, and I learned that.

"I had to dig deep at the end of this year in some ways to salvage the year, if you like. I would've signed up for being in this position when I had the surgery last year, I think."

BERDYCH CLOSES ON LONDON

Berdych is one win from also sealing his place in London after easing into the last eight with a comfortable win over Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

Following a first-round defeat at the Valencia Open last week, the 29-year-old Czech evened his record against Lopez at six wins apiece with a 7-5, 6-3 victory.

Chasing an 11th ATP title, and third of the year, the Australian Open semi-finalist now plays South African 14th seed Kevin Anderson for a place in the semi-finals.

Anderson won a three-hour thriller over Swiss third seed Wawrinka 6-7 (2/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/3). The two-time ATP winner, who had never been past the third round in Paris, converted a third match point to set up the meeting with Berdych.

"It was a great match and some of my best matches have been against Stan," said a delighted Anderson. "I'm going to enjoy this win and later tonight I'll start thinking about tomorrow (Friday)."

Former champion Ferrer kept his quest on track to reach a second straight Paris final as he swept aside Spanish compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-1, 6-2. He needs to reach the semi-finals to guarantee his spot in London and will now face Japanese star Nishikori.

Nishikori is firmly on track to become the first Japanese player to qualify for the World Finals after defeating French number one Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. Raonic kept his slender London chances alive with a hard-fought 7-5, 7-6 (9/7) victory over Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.

Third round:

Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-3, 7-6 (7/2)

Andy Murray (GBR) bt Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 6-3, 6-3

David Ferrer (ESP) bt Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 6-1, 6-2

Kei Nishikori (JPN) bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4

Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 7-5, 6-3

Kevin Anderson (RSA) bt Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 6-7 (2/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/3)

Milos Raonic (CAN) bt Roberto Bautista (ESP) 7-5, 7-6 (9/7)

Roger Federer (SUI) bt Lucas Pouille (FRA) 6-4, 6-4