Andy Murray eased into the European Open quarter-finals with a straight-sets victory over eighth seed Pablo Cuevas in Antwerp.

Britain’s former world number one – now ranked 243rd – beat the Uruguayan 6-4 6-3 in 84 minutes.

It marks only Murray’s second ATP Tour-level win in 16 months as he continues his return from hip surgery.

The two-time Wimbledon champion, 32, will play Romania’s world number 92 Marius Copil in the last eight.

World number 45 Cuevas, 33, saved seven break points in the first set against Murray before the Scot eventually broke his serve at 5-4 up to take the early advantage.

Murray broke again in the sixth game of the second set before seeing out the match.

“I thought I served quite well for most of the match and, when I was able to get into the baseline rallies, I felt I was hitting the ball quite clean, which is good,” said Murray.

“He served very well, which made it difficult for me to get the breaks, but I thought for me it was a good match.”

In the other quarter-finals in Antwerp, Swiss fourth seed Stan Wawrinka will play Frenchman Gilles Simon while Italian 18-year-old Jannik Sinner – who shocked Gael Monfils – will take on Frances Tiafoe of the US.

Argentina’s Guido Pella will play either Ugo Humbert of France or Belgium’s David Goffin.

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