ANDY MURRAY worked his way into the quarterfinals of the French Open for the fourth straight year by beating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 Monday.

The top-ranked Murray became the 15th man to reach 650 tour-level match wins.

“I think today was probably the best I have played overall. Each match I feel like I played better,” said Murray, who lost in last year’s final to Novak Djokovic. “I have hit the ball cleaner and started to hit the right shots at the right moments. (I have) come a long way the last 10 days or so.”

Murray had never before played the unseeded Russian. The 53rd-ranked Khachanov made 38 unforced errors, compared to only 14 for Murray.

Murray will next play eighth-seeded Kei Nishikori, who recovered to beat Fernando Verdasco 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.

“Kei is dangerous off both wings,” Murray said. “Moves well.”

Murray took time to remember the 29 people who died in the recent outrages in London and Manchester.

“Obviously there was terrible tragedy in London and Manchester. Paris has had its problems too in recent years,” said Murray.

“I am sure everyone will join me... we share our thoughts and prayers with everyone who has been affected.

“I appreciate everyone still coming out to support the tennis. I am grateful that I can still perform in front of everyone.”

Earlier, third-seeded Simona Halep and fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina advanced and will face each other in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.

In four previous matches on clay, Halep had never been able to beat Carla Suarez Navarro. But the Romanian took care of that problem Monday, routing Spain’s Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-1 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“I was expecting a very tough game,” said Halep, the 2014 French Open runner-up. “I managed to push her back.”

The 25-year-old Halep can become the new world No. 1 if she wins the title but before that she has to tackle Svitolina.

The two met in the Rome final on the eve of Roland Garros when Halep was beaten and suffered an ankle injury, which threatened her appearance in Paris. Svitolina rallied to beat Croatian qualifier and world No. 290 Petra Martic 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

(SD-Agencies)