French Open 2014: Andy Murray Seals Quarter-final Spot After Fernando Verdasco Battle

Andy Murray has secured a place in the quarter finals of the French Open after a hard fought straight sets victory over Fernando Verdasco.

The British no. 1 will now meet Gael Monfils in the final eight on Wednesday after sealing a closely contested 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) win over the fiery Spaniard in Paris.

Playing in his third straight day at Roland Garros, Murray was denied an easy afternoon by Verdasco who was relentless in his efforts to dent the Scot's early advantage.

The seventh seed showed little sign of fatigue after Sunday's battle with Philipp Kohlschreiber as he broke Verdasco twice to seal the opening set 6-4.

The closely contested tussle continued in the second but despite spurning break points of his own, Murray manage to break Verdasco late on before serving out to open up a two set lead.

A fired-up Verdsasco showed no signs of wilting despite losing his opening service game in the third; hitting back after Murray opened up a 4-2 to level the contest at 4-4. The 30-year-old then cruised through his service game to leave Murray needing the break to prevent the contest going to five sets.

Murray looked to have quelled the Spaniard's resurgence as he stormed into a 40-0 lead but was once again unable to close it out and only by virtue of the Spaniard's over hit lob did he get the break to force a tie break.

Murray secured the first break of the decider with a wonderful backhand and doubled his advantage as the Spaniard netted a return. Verdasco once again threatened to haul himself back into it with a break but he was unable to halt's Murray's charge to the final eight.

Murray will meet Monfils in the quarter final after the Frenchman secured a 6-0 6-2 7-5 victory over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain.