Thursday 5 November 2015 23:48, UK
Andy Murray inflicted a crushing defeat on David Goffin at the Paris Masters, just a few weeks before their potential clash in the Davis Cup final.
But Roger Federer didn't fare as well - the Swiss legend lost in three sets to John Isner.
Murray is likely to face his Belgian opponent again when the British team heads to Ghent later this month and he struck an early psychological blow, sweeping Goffin aside 6-1 6-0 in under an hour to reach the quarter-finals.
Goffin, ranked at No 16 in the world and his country's number one player, is a key part of the Belgium team but he could not cope with Murray's aggression, conceding an early break when the Brit lashed a forehand into the corner.
Murray ruthlessly attacked his opponent's serve as he opened a 5-1 lead with a booming backhand down the line.
The outgunned Goffin briefly stalled his sprint through the opening set by claiming a break point, but the world No 3 defended it with ease and the Liege man fell 1-0 down after firing a forehand long.
There was no respite for Goffin in the second set and he blasted a backhand into the net as Murray motored into a 3-0 lead.
Another dismal double fault opened the door for Murray to break again for a 5-0 lead and he ruthlessly sealed victory with a backhand into the corner.
Later, Isner converted his third match point to defeat Federer 7-6 3-6 7-6.
The American's big serve was too much for the world No 2 to handle as he collapsed to defeat in two hours and 16 minutes.
Isner smashed 27 aces down the court en route to victory.
Elsewhere, Richard Gasquet after the number 10 seed booked his place in the last eight after Japan's Kei Nishikori retired injured when trailing 7-6, 4-1. Gasquet will play Murray next.
Novak Djokovic was made to scrap but defeated Gilles Simon 6-3 7-5 to record a 19th straight win including 26 consecutive sets.
Tomas Berdych earned a showdown with Djokovic in the last eight by comprehensively defeating home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 6-4.
Fourth seed Stanislas Wawrinka was too strong for Serbia's Viktor Troicki, winning in straight sets, 6-4 7-5, and he will face Rafa Nadal in the last-eight after the Spaniard saved a match point before beating Kevin Anderson 4-6 7-6 6-2.
Watch the remaining third round matches at the Paris Masters on Sky Sports 1.
