Andy Murray has advanced to the semi-finals of the French Open for the third consecutive year, defeating home favourite Richard Gasquet in four sets on the Philippe-Chatrier court on Wednesday afternoon.

The world number two was made to work for his win, however, losing the first set and being taken to a tie-break in the second on the way to a 5-7 7-6(3) 6-0 6-2 victory in three hours and 23 minutes.

The Scot started the encounter on the front foot, breaking in just the second game and holding to love in the third. Indeed, he was 5-2 up before the Frenchman - appearing in the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time - stunned his opponent with five games in a row to take an unlikely lead.

The second set went the way of serve until the sixth game when Murray claimed another break. Having taken the first point with a poor smash off the frame, Murray reeled out the win to love against an unnerved Gasquet.

Again Murray found himself 5-2 up but again, Gasquet showed signs of rocking the apple cart with three wins in a row to ensure that a breaker was needed. It was early advantage to the world number 12 as he took a 3-1 lead but a determined Murray notched up six straight points - including two aces - to restore parity.

Thereafter there was only to be one winner as the physical strains of the contest began to show on Gasquet, and Murray breezed through the third set with a bagel, wrapping up the sixth game to love.

The fourth set was a similarly comfortable story for Murray, breaking twice against his subdued opposition to claim a 6-2 win and ensure his participation in the last four of the tournament, where he will meet defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka.