World number two Andy Murray bulldozed his way into the Cincinnati Masters quarter final and remains on course to defend his crown in Ohio.

The British number one was rarely troubled by the Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek, as he eased through his second match in as many days in Cincinnati, 6-4, 6-1.

The Brit now looks well placed to reach the last four, having booked a quarter-final clash with unseeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau.

Murray raced into an early lead but a rare lapse in concentration allowed Stepanek back into the match as the Scot was serving for the first set at 5-3.

But Murray immediately broke back and sealed the first set with an exquisite lob, leaving Stepanek lost for words.

And Murray raced through the gears in the second set, storming home with two more breaks of serve to seal a comfortable victory.

Meanwhile, top seed and world number one Roger Federer fought back from a break down in the final ser to overcome Spain’s David Ferrer 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.