OK, that's your lot for today, another landmark reached by Murray and the chance to go further over the next couple of days. You can read the developing report on today's action here.

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller, external will be in Paris for every ball struck, and we will have further coverage of Murray's potentially historic end to the season. Stay tuned.

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Murray tells Sky Sports: "I think I got the break back immediately in the third set and that was big, because he was playing the better tennis. His shot-making was exceptional and he uses the angles better than maybe any other player on tour because of the spin he puts on it.

"I started putting some returns in the court and struggled to push up on my first serve, got a little stiff in my lower back. I was smart with that in the end.

"It was a tough match. Obviously the crowd is right behind him and it was perfect preparation for the Davis Cup, in an atmosphere like that.

Asked if the back was a concern, Murray added: "I don't think so. I was moving well, it was just on the serve it gave me a little bit of trouble. That can happen, it's a long season. After a couple of weeks it's maybe normal to feel a little bit stiff and sore and maybe it's a good thing, to get that out of my system."

Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent on 5 live sports extra: "I thought he played exceptionally well for 50% of the match and he wasn't bad at other times - he's used to doing this but all credit to him for pulling it out."

Mike Dickson, Daily Mail tennis correspondent: "He did hit his groundstrokes, most of the time, very big and the performance was marked by how often he came to the net, which he did under pressure."

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Murray wins! At the sixth attempt he finally reaches the last four at the Paris Masters, and completes the set of Masters 1000 semi-finals.

He's not the best in the world with overheads but Murray does enough on the opening point for 15-0, and then gets low to clip over a forehand half-volley on his way to 40-0 and three match points...

And he only needs one as Gasquet nets, and Murray moves on to face Isner or Ferrer on Saturday.

Murray sweeps into the net and guides away a volley, before Gasquet then sticks an optimistic backhand into the high part of the net, 0-30. The Frenchman is in trouble but finds a couple of backhands that are pretty magical even by his standards, basically half-volleying a winner into the corner.

Murray is not wasting any time admiring that one though, thumping a heavy backhand for 15-40 and two break points...

A brilliant Gasquet forehand, aided by Hawkeye, saves the first... an ace does for the second.

Murray clings on in typical style as Gasquet fires away from the baseline and eventually nets, break point number three... A big serve, a great backhand.

A Murray drop shot does just enough, break point number four.... Gasquet nets!

Murray will serve for the match.

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That could be the best forehand of the day so far - Murray moves out wide but stays low and arrows one down the line for 40-0. He clinches the game after a bit of exhibition stuff from both men at the net, which was a bit more like the Wimbledon Legends event than a Masters 1000.

Gasquet's shoulders slump, for the first time today, after a loopy opening point that sees the Frenchman play a fine lob, only to see the ball sail back over his head and inside the baseline. Murray rumbles into the net and sticks way the smash.

The Frenchman recovers superbly with some good serving and a noncholant forehand winner off his hip at game point.

Bercy was bouncing five minutes ago, now it appears to have slipped into a post-lunch snooze. Gasquet has played nearly his best for the last hour and a half, and it was always likely his level would drop at some stage. Murray holds to 15 and edges back in front.

"Murray's body language over the last 45 minutes has not been good but he looks a little more energised now," says BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller on 5 live sports extra.

I said it, sort of - Murray breaks straight back. Some piercing returns have Gasquet on the back foot, and the Frenchman makes an error at 30-30 before Murray fires another backhand at his toes on break point.

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Murray double faults to fall 15-40 down and screams something about "an hour and 15 minutes!", suggesting he's not too happy with his preparation. Anyway, it's break point for Gasquet... and he fires a superb forehand return winner.

This is becoming a physical battle after more than two hours, and unlike me the players are not able to get someone to bring them tea. Having said that, this time last year Murray was running on fumes as he played seemingly every day in the battle to qualify for the ATP Finals. Most of the time, he found a way to win.

Murray has not made much headway on the Gasquet serve for a while but a couple of aggressive backhand returns, followed by a drop shot that proves too much for a scampering opponent, and we're at deuce.

A humdinger of a rally... Murray sends another of those sliced backhand passes down the line, Gasquet lunges to make the volley, Murray hares in and picks it up, Gasquet hurtles across the court only to frame the backhand.

Break point Murray.... Gasquet sees it off to a huge cheer and holds.

Murray is reeling at 0-30 but has a rummage around his 'locker' and finds a forehand winner down the line. Het gets back to 30-30, only to produce his third error of the game.

Break point for Gasquet... A big first serve does the job for Murray.

The world number three is soon on the run again though, and cannot control a forehand. Break point two for Gasquet.... Murray works the point well and sends a volley into the open space, going on to hold.

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Gasquet opens with another drop shot that leaves Murray stranded, and gingerly clutching his hamstring. The Frenchman then absolutely hammers a backhand winner, before hitting a remarkable angle to earn three set points...

Murray saves the first with an aggressive return point, Gasquet sends and edgy forehand long on the second... "Richard! Richard!" shout the crowd...

Ace! A great set that from the Frenchman.

"Allez!" The home crowd are loving this.

Gasquet steps in and brushes a backhand return into the corner, then another down the line moments later to make it deuce. Murray's second serve is under pressure now, and the Briton is relieved to see a Gasquet pass go just long. Game point, and the Scot finishes it with a morale-boosting backhand of his own.

Gasquet is on a roll right now, getting to 40-0 in a matter of seconds and then walloping down an ace and marching to his chair. Murray hauls him back though, demanding a Hawkeye challenge which, to some surprise, goes in his favour. Gasquet must serve again.

Another ace, an even bigger cheer, a few whistles from the locals in Murray's direction. Good stuff.

Gasquet continues to be the driving force out there, steering a sharp low volley away for 0-30, and Murray then sends a regulation backhand long over the baseline. He goes for a Hawkeye challenge, which confirms a minibus could have been driven through the gap.

It's 15-40, two break points for Gasquet.... and Murray loops a forehand well long.

"It's been a strange, insipid set, but Gasquet looks the more likely winner now and Murray needs to wake up," says BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller on 5 live sports extra.

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"It kills me!" screams Murray after he fails to handle a Gasquet second serve.

You might think he shouldn't take it to heart, but perfectionism seems to have worked pretty well for him over the last 10 years. Gasquet is serving well now though, taking the game with his third ace.

Murray is not the easiest man to drop shot but Gasquet is having some success with that tactic, getting to 30-30 with another delicate backhand, but Murray finds a first serve, a "C'mon!" and a measured forehand pass.

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An even quicker hold for Gasquet, moving to 40-0 and then swatting away a backhand winner like a fish across the face (in a Monty Python sketch). The winner this afternoon will take on David Ferrer or John Isner, who saw off Roger Federer with a couple of tie-breaks yesterday.

On the other half of the draw, world number one and unbeatable tennis machine Novak Djokovic looms on a 19-match, 26-set winning streak.

Nice and solid from Murray, easing through to 40-15 and rolling a first serve halfway up the service box and out wide for an ace.