Andy Murray eases past Fernando Verdasco to set up Queen's quarter-final clash with world No 48 Gilles Muller

  • Andy Murray beat Fernando Verdasco in straight sets at Queen's 
  • The match took just 1hr 32m as Murray dispatched his opponent 7-5, 6-4
  • Murray will play Luxembourg's world No 48 Gilles Muller in the quarter-final
  • Muller defeated defending champion Grigor Dimitrov in round two
  • Wimbledon 2015 build-up: CLICK HERE for all the latest news 

By Mike Dickson for MailOnline

Published: 09:46 EST, 18 June 2015 | Updated: 11:30 EST, 18 June 2015

Fernando Verdasco so nearly derailed Andy Murray's 2013 Wimbledon triumph but he failed to come close when they met at London's Queen's Club on Thursday.

Murray came through their second round meeting 7-5, 6-4 to avoid any repetition of SW19 two years ago when the Spanish lefthander took the opening two sets before succumbing to a fine comeback from the Scot.

It was an extremely competent performance from Murray, occasionally aided by some wayward serving from his powerful opponent. Murray's expected quarter-final showdown on Friday with defending champion Grigor Dimitrov will not materialise because the Bulgarian, struggling this year, was earlier knocked out 6-4 7-6 by Gilles Muller.

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Andy Murray gestures to the centre court crowd after securing his 7-5, 6-4 victory over Fernando Verdasco

Andy Murray gestures to the centre court crowd after securing his 7-5, 6-4 victory over Fernando Verdasco

Murray pumps his fist after winning match point at Queen's Club to secure a place in the quarter-finals

Murray pumps his fist after winning match point at Queen's Club to secure a place in the quarter-finals

Murray's wife Kim Sears looked in a relaxed mood as she watched her husband ease to victory

Murray's wife Kim Sears looked in a relaxed mood as she watched her husband ease to victory

Murray beat Fernando Verdasco on Thursday to progress to the quarter-finals at Queen's Club

Murray beat Fernando Verdasco on Thursday to progress to the quarter-finals at Queen's Club

Murray (pictured) plays a return to Verdasco during their second round singles match at Queen's Club

Murray (pictured) plays a return to Verdasco during their second round singles match at Queen's Club

Meeting the big-serving Luxembourg player will also mean Murray being up against one of his close friends, former British player Jamie Delgado, who is Muller's coach.

'It was a tricky match. Fernando is obviously an extremely powerful guy. He didn't serve so well which gave me a few opportunities there,' said Murray.'I was happy with the way I moved. It was a little bit better than the first match.

'Gilles served 37 aces in the first round and I haven't served that many in the whole year. It is obviously going to be difficult. He is coached by a good friend of mine. We know each other's games well. He's a very good grass-court player.'

In hot afternoon sunshine the 28-year-old Scot profited from two double faults in the Spaniard's opening service game to break for 3-0 up. He then got himself in trouble at 4-2 when, 30-15 up, he elected not to drill Verdasco at the net and after losing the point was eventually broken.

Murray stretches for a forehand during his match against world No 42 Verdasco in the second round

Murray stretches for a forehand during his match against world No 42 Verdasco in the second round

Verdasco fires a return back to the British No 1 during the second round match of the AEGON Championships

Verdasco fires a return back to the British No 1 during the second round match of the AEGON Championships

Murray, against the backdrop of the AEGON Championships board, plays a return to his Spanish opponent

Murray, against the backdrop of the AEGON Championships board, plays a return to his Spanish opponent

Murray's wife Sears (left) watches on as her husband battles past Verdasco on court in west London

Murray's wife Sears (left) watches on as her husband battles past Verdasco on court in west London

Murray, one of the most accomplished players at the net on the Tour, reaches for a return against Verdasco

Murray, one of the most accomplished players at the net on the Tour, reaches for a return against Verdasco

He took the opener on his third break point at 6-5 when an angled return was driven into the net. 

The second set was close, but Murray's returns eventually took their toll and he broke at 5-4 to go through in 92 minutes.

An event which has seen the departure of Dimitrov, Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka finds the world number three in sharp form, and so far exactly where he wants to be prior to Wimbledon, carrying on his excellent performances from the clay season.

Sears shields her face from the London sunshine while watching husband Murray win his match 

Sears shields her face from the London sunshine while watching husband Murray win his match 

Murray takes on fluids during a break in play; the British No 1 overcame his opponent in straight sets

Murray takes on fluids during a break in play; the British No 1 overcame his opponent in straight sets

A packed crowd watched the match on centre court at Queen's as Murray progressed with relative ease

A packed crowd watched the match on centre court at Queen's as Murray progressed with relative ease

Verdasco eyes up the ball and he prepares himself for a return, but he could not defeat Murray on Thursday

Verdasco eyes up the ball and he prepares himself for a return, but he could not defeat Murray on Thursday

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