Wimbledon: Andy Murray beats Benoit Paire, moves into 10th consecutive Championships’ quarter-final

Defending champion Andy Murray reached a 10th successive Wimbledon quarter-final on Monday with a 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-4 win over Benoit Paire of France.

The world No 1 Murray will face Sam Querrey, who he leads 7-1 in career meetings, for a place in the semi-finals.

“I thought I played well. Maybe a couple of sloppy service games in the first set but that was by far the best I’d hit the ball so far in the tournament. So I’m really pleased with that,” said Murray.

Only Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors (11 each) have reached more consecutive Wimbledon quarter-finals than Murray.

The 30-year-old’s progress is particularly noteworthy as he came into the tournament nursing a hip injury.

“Two weeks ago I was resting, I was also a little bit concerned. When you’re having issues a few days before a big event, it’s frustrating,” said Murray who has now made the last-eight in 24 of his last 26 appearances at the majors.

“I’ve managed it well and I think I’ve played some good stuff. That was the best I’ve played so far in the tournament. I’m doing well so hopefully I keep it up,” he said.

Murray’s win meant that with Johanna Konta also making the last-eight in the women’s tournament, it is the first time since 1973 that Britain has two players in the quarter-finals.

Querrey, the US 24th seed who knocked out Novak Djokovic in 2016, made the quarter-finals for a second successive year with a 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-7(11), 6-3 over unseeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa.

Marin Cilic powers through into quarters

Croatian seventh seed Cilic reached a fourth successive Wimbledon quarter-final on Monday with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 win over Roberta Bautista Agut of Spain.

Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, will look to reach his first semi-final at the All England Club when he faces either two-time champion Rafael Nadal or Gilles Muller of Luxembourg in the last-eight.