Murray is targeting a place in the world's top 10

The world number 14 was in unstoppable form in the opener, pounding Frenchman Mahut with powerful first serves and polishing off the set in 26 minutes.

Mahut had no idea how to counter the Scot and was broken twice in the second set as Murray eased to victory.

The 19-year-old goes on to face fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko for a place in the quarter-finals.

606: DEBATE It will get tough for Murray from now on, but he shouldn't fear anyone SV

"I played well," Murray said. "It was always going to be difficult against him as he has a big serve and is pretty aggressive from the back.

"You have to play solid tennis and not give him too many chances, put the pressure on his service games and I did that.

"I have a really tough section of the draw so I still need to play some really good tennis to get through."

Murray, who faces Davydenko on Wednesday admits he will have to be at his best to overcome the world number four.

The Russian thrashed Tim Henman's conqueror Jan Hernych 6-3 6-1 in the third round.

He's one of the best ball-strikers in the game, and it will be a completely different match to my first two Andy Murray on Nikolay Davydenko

And Murray said: "I have played him three times. I lost the first two - I lost here actually last year in the third round - but I beat him in Doha earlier this year quite comfortably.

"He's one of the best ball-strikers in the game, he returns great and it will be a completely different match to my first two, as he is a slightly better player.

"He doesn't have the big serve, his main weapon is his returns and his defence. I'll have to play great if I want to win against him."

Murray also played down the significance of world number one Roger Federer's exit and insisted he would not be distracted by the reigning champion's departure.

He said: "I just have to concentrate on one match at a time, I've got a really tough section. Federer was in a different part of the draw so it doesn't really affect me.