Wimbledon 2011: Andy Murray happy to beat Gasquet in heat

Andy Murray was satisfied with how he disposed of Richard Gasquet to make the Wimbledon quarter-finals in stifling conditions and in front of royalty.

Britain's fourth seed cruised past the Frenchman in three sets watched by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to set up a clash with Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

"I thought it was good - I think I served well," 24-year-old Murray said.

"The conditions were very warm. I made a lot of good passing shots in the end and I did well to come through."

Many had predicted that the French 17th seed Gasquet would provide a stern test for Murray.

But having pushed the British number one all the way in a five-set thriller in the fourth round three years ago, the 2007 semi-finalist rarely threatened after being edged out in the first-set tie-break and lost 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-2 in just over two hours.

With temperatures soaring above 30 degrees on Centre Court, the conditions were in marked contrast to those last Friday night when Murray beat Ivan Ljubicic under the roof.

"I served well throughout, which helped. But the first set was tough," said Murray, still aiming for his first Wimbledon final.

"I had no break points in the first set but I managed to string a few good points together in the tie-break. I served well throughout, which helped.

"There was very different conditions. It was very quick compared with a few days ago under the roof. So it took a while to get used to that."

Gasquet's challenge may have faded by the second set, but Murray also had to contend with the added pressure of the special guests in the Royal Box.

Murray bowed in front of the newly weds and admitted that he had apologised to the couple after the match for his appearance.

"If I'd known they were coming, I would have shaved," he said. "I was thinking to myself as I came off I was sweaty and very hairy. I said to them, 'I'm sorry, I'm a bit sweaty'.

"They told me 'well done' on the match and asked me how it was out there. That was it. It wasn't a long conversation.

"For me, those things are always quite difficult because there's a lot of people around, so it's not the most natural way to be introduced to people. But it was very nice to get to meet them."

Murray will now have a day off and will next play unseeded Feliciano Lopez on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals, after the Spaniard came back from two sets down to beat Lukasz Kubot.