VALENCIA: Andy Murray inched closer to sealing his place at the World Tour Finals with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Fabio Fognini to reach the Valencia Open quarter-finals here on Thursday.

The Scot has won 15 of his last 17 matches to put himself on course for a seventh consecutive appearance at the season-ending event which features the world`s top eight players.

However, top seed David Ferrer also remained in contention as he swept aside compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-2 to reach the last eight.

Murray had looked far from convincing on serve in disposing of Jurgen Melzer on Wednesday, but didn`t even face a break point as he set up a last-eight clash with South Africa`s Kevin Anderson.-AFP