Murray and Ferrer secure last-eight berths

AndyMurray

Tomas Berdych's surprise first-round exit at the ATP World Tour 500 indoor tournament has given Murray and Ferrer an opportunity to advance their own claim for a berth at the end-of-season showpiece.

And both took full advantage by recording straight-sets triumphs in Spain, with Murray out on court first to apply pressure with a 6-2 6-4 success against Fabio Fognini.

Fresh from his victory over Ferrer in the Vienna Open final on Sunday, the Briton exacted a measure of revenge on the Italian after suffering a Davis Cup defeat to the world number 19 in April.

Murray dominated from the outset, forcing breaks at the first two opportunities, and even an improved second-set showing from Fognini was not enough to prevent the inevitable.

Up next for Murray, who occupied the final qualification spot for the World Tour Finals heading into this event, is seventh seed Kevin Anderson.

The South African was the beneficiary of Martin Klizan's withdrawal with a wrist injury, while Thomaz Bellucci also progressed courtesy of a walkover as Roberto Bautista Agut's abdominal strain ruled him out.

Top seed Ferrer was scarcely troubled by fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in his commanding 6-3 6-2 victory, and he will now face Bellucci, ahead of a potential semi-final meeting with Murray.

Elsewhere in the draw, Pablo Andujar was a 6-3 6-2 winner against Dusan Lajovic, the Spaniard securing a last-eight showdown with compatriot Tommy Robredo.

Finally, Jeremy Chardy came from a set down to beat Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5, with Pablo Carreno Busta awaiting the Frenchman in the last eight.

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