Monday 30 May 2016 13:43, UK
Andy Murray knows he will be taking on both Richard Gasquet and the crowd as he chases a fourth appearance in the French Open semi-finals.
The British No 1 struggled through the early rounds at Roland Garros, squeezing past Radek Stepanek and French wildcard Mathias Bourgue in back-to-back gruelling five-setters, but the second seed has looked far more at ease since.
Murray breezed past Ivo Karlovic in three sets before seeing off another big server in American John Isner to set up a quarter-final clash with ninth-seeded Frenchman Gasquet.
"I'm pumped to be in the quarters of a slam. Obviously the atmosphere will be tough, but I don't mind that," said Murray, who has won his last five meetings with Gasquet.
"I played a number of times against French players here in difficult atmospheres and I managed okay. So I'm sure I'll be fine."
Murray and Gasquet have played each other twice before in the French Open, with the Briton prevailing both times, including in the 2010 first round when he recovered from two sets to love down.
It was 13th time lucky for Gasquet who reached the last eight in Paris for the first time on Sunday after downing Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori in four sets.
But the former French Open boys champion knows Murray represents a formidable challenge in his bid to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah in 1983.
The pair famously played out a five-set epic at Wimbledon eight year ago when the Scot battled back from two sets down to reach the last-eight and Gasquet acknowledges what a fighter Murray is.
"He's a huge fighter. He runs all over the place. You never get a free point. He has the best physical condition on the tour with [Novak] Djokovic," said Gasquet.
"He's a big competitor. And he always hangs in there and wins these matches. Makes very few mistakes, is very good at defence, too.
"He's confident. He had a surprisingly difficult start to this tournament. But he played very well in Rome and Madrid. He's the No 2 player, and for good reason. Because he's a great player.
"I need to play very offensive, because if not, it will be difficult for me to win. Of course he will be the favourite, but I have nothing to lose."
