MADRID (AFP) – Britain's Andy Murray coasted into the quarter-finals of the Madrid Masters on Thursday with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Spanish 16th seed Tommy Robredo, while Roger Federer also advanced in style.

Murray wasted eight break points in his opening set against the Spaniard but quickly made amends by sweeping the second to claim a last-eight place in one and three-quarter hours.

Murray moved his series with Robredo to 2-2 while the Scot also improved to 31-4 on the season with three titles from four finals.

In Friday's quarters Murray will face fifth seed Juan Del Potro, who needed four match points and three hours to hold off Swiss Stan Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. The pair had played just over a week ago in Rome, with the Argentine earning his first victory after two losses in the series.

Second seed Federer meanwhile ousted US 14th seed James Blake 6-2, 6-4 as the the former world number one likewise showed his form on the Spanish clay.

"It was windy but not swirling like at Indian Wells or Miami," said Murray.

"I had a lot of chances in the first set but couldn't take them," added the Scotsman, who turns 22 on Friday and reached a career - and British - best of third in the world on Monday as he overhauled Novak Djokovic for the spot.

"I got a bit too passive but the second set was much better. Robredo can make you run, I couldn't go trying for many winners form behind the baseline."

In the women's third round, fourth seed Jelena Jankovic reached the last eight as she defeated Russian Elena Vesnina 6-2, 6-2 while Alona Bondarenko of the Ukraine put out Russia's Anna Chakavetadze 6-0, 2-6, 6-3.