Andy Murray set for showdown with David Ferrer at French Open

Andy Murray admits he will have to overcome "one of the best players in the world" in Spain's David Ferrer if he is to reach the French Open semi-finals.

Murray takes on Ferrer in the last eight on Wednesday afternoon, knowing he has never beaten the world No 8 in any of their four previous meetings on clay.

Ferrer, who reached the final at Roland Garros in 2013, is fresh from a straight-sets demolition of Croatia's Marin Cilic in the last 16 and Murray admits he will have to be at his very best to beat the Spaniard.

"It's going to be a tough match because he's one of the best players in the world," Murray said.

"On this surface, he's for sure of one of the top four or five players in the world.

"Obviously the higher-ranked players you play, the less opportunities they give you, the less mistakes they give you, especially in important moments.

"Someone who is more inexperienced may rush at certain moments or make bad decisions - that's not something that David does.

"I'm going to have to work extremely hard in that match and be very patient and try to dictate the play as much as I can."

The pair's last match-up on clay came at the same stage of the French Open three years ago, when Ferrer edged through 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-2.

Spaniard Ferrer is one of the most persistent and detemined players on any surface, but he is truly at home on clay. 

Murray, however, is a different proposition these days and has won four out of their last five meetings on all surfaces.

"I'm sure both of us will have changed and probably improved since that time," Murray said.

"I feel like I have a better understanding of how I need to play on this surface than I did back then probably."

Ferrer said: "Murray is much more aggressive. When he uses the different shots he has to play, he's one of the best players - in the top three.

"In addition to his talent, he's more aware of what's happening, not just on quick surfaces but also on clay. He's much more composed and calm now."

The winner will go on to take on either Novak Djokovic or Rafa Nadal in the semi-finals, and Murray thinks the Spaniard could topple the world No 1.

"It’s a huge match any time those guys play each other,” he said, “especially in the majors or finals of the events on the Tour.

"But Rafa seems to be playing very well. I think the conditions here suit him and he’s more comfortable than anywhere else on the Tour. It will be a lot closer than in the Monte Carlo semi-final (where Djokovic won easily in straight sets)."

Murray's match is the second on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The first, between Timea Bacsinszky and Alison Van Uytvanck in the women's singles, begins at 2pm.

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