Goodbyepublished at 19:18 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
That is that. Thanks for joining us. Come back again on Friday for what promises to be a fascinating quarter-final clash for Andy Murray at the Paris Masters.
Image source, APSummary
Andy Murray beats France's Lucas Pouille 6-3 6-0 in Paris Masters third round
Briton wins in 72 minutes to reach the quarter-finals (faces Simon or Berdych)
Murray bidding to become world number one this week
Current number one Novak Djokovic beat Grigor Dimitrov 4-6 6-2 6-3
*Denotes next server
Goodbyepublished at 19:18 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Image source, AP'I played better today'published at 19:17 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
And on the win over Lucas Pouille:
"I returned well today. I was hitting the ball a little cleaner from the back of the court.
"Yesterday was hard for me. Fernando Verdasco played well. But today was better. I was able to dictate more points.
"You don't want to waste energy stressing over other matches. My goal is to finish the year as strong as possible."
Murray will finish top of the rankings for the first time ever if he wins the Paris Masters.
Murray looking forward to next challengepublished at 19:15 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Murray will now play either Czech Tomas Berdych or another Frenchman Gilles Simon.
Speaking to Sky Sports, here's what he thinks of his possible opponents:
"I haven't thought about it."
There's more: "Both are experienced and are tough players. Tomas Berdych hits a big ball and takes risks so the points are shorter. With Gilles it's long points and physically demanding. I'll try to play well whoever it is."
Image source, AP
Game, set and matchpublished at 19:06 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Pouille 3-6 0-6 Murray
Murray races to 30-0 with an ace but his third double fault sees Pouille pull it back to 30-30.
The Frenchman gives up trying to return the next. Match point.
But credit to the 22-year-old he risks coming to the net and wins the point with great control on a volley.
One of Murray's many weapons is the 'Serve That Gets Him Out Of A Spot Of Bother™'
He delivers two of those.
Game, set, match and quarter-finals.
Image source, EPAPostpublished at 19:01 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Pouille 3-6 0-5 Murray*
Lucas. What can we say to make you feel better?
The Frenchman finds himself facing three break points again. Shoulders slumped.
He saves the first but from the baseline Murray whips a deep forehand that Pouille gets his frame to and sends the ball into the crowd.
Despondent.
Image source, EPAPostpublished at 18:59 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
*Pouille 3-6 0-4 Murray
SHOT!
Ridiculous mate. There was no way Murray should have won the point at 15-0 but he did.
Pouille's return sends the Scot very wide but Murray dumbfounds scientists by reaching the ball and sending it cross court for a scintillating winner.
He goes on to win the game, naturally.
Image source, EPAPostpublished at 18:53 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Pouille 3-6 0-3 Murray*
You get to 30-0 quite easily and look to see the game out but then you realise you're playing Andy Murray who like a kid in a toy shop at Christmas keeps pestering the parent until the parent relents and buys them the latest dinosaur toy (or whatever kids like these days).
Deuce.
Advantage Murray.
Break Murray.
Game Murray.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 18:47 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
*Pouille 3-6 0-2 Murray
Murray does keep giving Pouille chances - smacking a forehand from the baseline into the net. It's 30-30. Then deuce as Murray's forehand again fails to scale the net.
Another error from the Scotsman and it's advantage Pouille - the crowd clap rhythmically - not sure why - as they sense a break-back opportunity.
But Murray saves with a sliced backhand that Pouille struggles to return and then pulls out another big serve.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 18:41 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Pouille 3-6 0-1 Murray*
Pouille has yet to win more than three games in a set against Murray in the two matches and a set they've played against each other.
Best not to go down a break early in the second set if you're going to resolve that issue.
Murray has three break points. To his credit the Frenchman wins the next four.
Advantage Pouille. Fails to take the advantage Pouille.
Murray breaks again in the first game of the set after picking off the second serve.
Pouille's points won on his first serve? 61%.
Must improve.
Image source, AFPPostpublished at 18:34 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extraHe's won that relatively quickly and relatively painlessly. If he can repeat the trick in the second set he will be pleased with his efforts.
Image source, Getty ImagesGame and first setpublished at 18:33 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
*Pouille 3-6 Murray
Pouille faces two set points against him. The Frenchman duels with Murray at the net but then sends a return past the reach of the Scot. One saved.
Murray, unperturbed, then sends down a heavy serve to the body that his French opponent returns into the net.
Muzza one up.
Image source, AFPget involved Get Involved #bbctennispublished at 18:30 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Future Grand Slam winners?
Nick Powell: Murray may be 29 but is still in his prime. Nadal started winning young, but Murray started getting GS's at 25 so has time left
Postpublished at 18:29 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Pouille 3-5 Murray*
Pouille! Pouille! He's got a 'touch of the Murrays' on his first serve.
Three break points for the Scot. Like Murray he saves the first and like Murray he doesn't save the second as the Scot swipes a forehand past Pouille who stands motionless at the net.
Broken again. Murray to serve for the set.
Postpublished at 18:25 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
*Pouille 3-4 Murray
Wow! Three break points for Pouille but Murray gifted him the opportunities because of a string of poor first serves. The Frenchman made light of the ineffective second serves.
Murray saves the first before Pouille punches a forehand return down the line.
Break back. Cheers from the French support.
Image source, AFPPostpublished at 18:22 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
*Pouille 2-4 Murray
Great variety from Lucas Pouille at 30-15 ends with the Frenchman adding disguise on a drop shot that has Murray scampering to the net and failing to return with accuracy.
Pouille takes the game with some traditional serve and volleying.
get involved Get Involved #bbctennispublished at 18:19 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Future Grand Slam winners?
Toniwater: Raonic with JohnMcE in his corner cud do damage over the next few years! JMcE will teach him a thing or 2 about winning GS's!
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 18:17 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
*Pouille 1-4 Murray
A 19-shot rally lifts the crowd with Pouille finishing on top thanks to a deft backhand drop shot.
Murray counter punches by killing a powerful return from Pouille at the net before the Scot makes an error by sending the ball skywards towards the International Space Station.
It's 30-30 then 40-40 after a slightly lazy volley from the world number two at the net.
Wait! Advantage Pouille. You have to break pal. But he doesn't. Murray controls play with a well judged serve and volley.
He finally wraps up the game, but only after giving Pouille another chance.
Nevertheless, it's 4-1 to the Scot.
Image source, AFPPostpublished at 18:09 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Pouille 1-3 Murray*
Pouille had used the tactic of coming to the net already and it paid dividends. He moves in again and moves to 30-0 by again rushing Murray but then makes a mistake at the net with a forehand.
A good first serve gets him out of trouble - he's on the board and he gets a warm round of applause from his French supporters.
Bravo.
Image source, AFPPostpublished at 18:05 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
*Pouille 0-3 Murray
Murray wins his service game to love with an ace that sends his opponent out wide.
The Scot was as impressive in the first set of his match against Fernando Verdasco on Wednesday, before the Spaniard fought back. So let's not think this will be an easy two sets victory.*
*It might be though.
Postpublished at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
Pouille 0-2 Murray*
30-0 then the first double fault of the match.
Pouille, wearing a cap backwards that looks to have been dipped in luminous pink paint, then finds himself facing break point - Murray making it 30-30 with a great dipping forehand and 30-40 via an error by the Frenchman.
Murray takes the break point by pounding a forehand into the feet of Pouille.
Early break.
Image source, AFP