Defending champion Andy Murray charged into the quarter-finals of the ATP Doha event in Qatar with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Germany's Philipp Petzschner.

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The world number four needed just over an hour to dismiss Petzschner and will now face either Austrian qualifier Alexander Peya or Sergiy Stakhovsky in the quarter-finals.

The US Open finalist was forced to work hard in the opening games of the match but was rarely troubled by his opponent, who is currently enjoying a career-high world ranking at number 66.

Murray used his strength around the court to secure his first break of serve in just the third game, albeit at the fifth attempt, and quickly reinforced his lead with a second break in the seventh game before serving out the set when Petzschner hit wide.

Petzschner also conceded his serve in the third game of the second set, to love, with a series on unforced errors.

Murray then quietly served out the match in the 10th game, sealing the quarter-final spot at the second attempt when Petzschner dumped a backhand into the net.