Andy Murray feels he is getting better with each match after reaching the French Open quarter-final with a straight-sets victory over Karen Khachanov.
The world Number No 1 saw off the 21-year-old Russian 6-3 6-4 6-4 in just over two hours, and will face Kei Nishikori on Wednesday following the Japanese’s victory over Fernando Verdasco.
Murray, who admitted the windy conditions in Paris were difficult, felt he stepped up to another level against Khachanov.
“I think today was probably the best I have played overall,” Murray said. “It was difficult conditions. It was pretty windy out there, it wasn’t easy.
“But each match I feel like I played better. I have hit the ball cleaner and started to see the right shots at the right moments. I’ve come a long way the last 10 days or so.
“You can’t really make any technical changes at this stage; you can make some tactical changes. Right now I don’t want to, I’m happy with where my game is at, everything is going pretty well right now, and I’m feeling good going into the middle part of the second week.”
Each time Murray was broken by the Russian, he immediately broke back, and the 30-year-old feels he is in a good place mentally and has a clear mindset going into each point.
“I said after the last match, what’s important is what you’re thinking before the following points,” Murray added. “Right now I am quite clear with what I’m doing.
“That’s another thing that has been positive in the last couple of matches.”
Nishikori came from a set down to beat Verdasco later on Monday, and Murray is wary that his last-eight opponent is versatile across the court.
“Kei, obviously I lost against him in the US Open, he plays well on the clay. Very solid off both wings, dangerous off both wings, and moves quick,” Murray added.
