Andy Murray sees off young star to reach French Open quarter-finals.

Tennis Legend says scot showing why he is Force to be Reckoned with

John McEnroe believes Andy Murray is on course for another run to the French Open final after the world number one eased his way into the last eight in Paris.

Having started the French Open with significant doubts about his form, Murray has played himself into familiar territory.

He proved too experienced for Karen Khachanov, defusing the power of the 21-year-old Russian to win 6-3 6-4 6-4.

Next up for Murray is a rerun of his US Open quarter-final clash with Kei Nishikori, which the Japanese player won, and third seed Stan Wawrinka is likely to be waiting if he can get through that.

It appears a dramatic turnaround for Murray, who arrived at Roland Garros having lost back-to-back matches against Borna Coric and Fabio Fognini.

But McEnroe, who is playing in the Legends event, said: “I don’t think he was as far away as people were saying. It’s a matter of attitude.

“He’s tougher to beat in the Slams and I think he’s proving that now. The draw looked fairly tough in the beginning but now you’d have to say you’d be somewhat surprised if he didn’t get to the semis if not the finals.”

Khachanov, ranked 53, had beaten Tomas Berdych and John Isner to make the last 16, combining the swagger of youth with a big serve and even bigger forehand.

Murray came into the match buoyed by his third-round victory over Juan Martin del Potro, where he at last began to resemble the man who conquered all before him at the end of last year.

He was on the money from the start here, keeping the ball deep and pulling Khachanov around the court.

Some classic Murray defence drew the error from Khachanov and a break for 4-2, and Murray went on clinch the first set comfortably.

There were great moments from Khachanov, particularly when he was allowed to step into the court and unleash his forehand, but this was a familiar script.

Murray is a master at frustrating young players into too many errors with his remarkable talent simply for getting balls back in play.

This was the first time the young Russian had played a top-five opponent, and it was an invaluable lesson in the relentlessness needed to be the best. Chess fan Khachanov began to find himself a pawn in Murray’s game.

Murray used his post-match interview to send his condolences to those caught up in Saturday’s terror attack in London.

Regarding his form, he felt he stepped up another level against Khachanov.

“I think today was probably the best I have played overall. It was difficult conditions. It was pretty windy out there. Wasn’t easy.

But each match I feel like I played better. I have hit the ball cleaner and started to see the right shots at the right moments.

“I’ve come a long way the last 10 days or so.”

Picture: Getty. Andy Murray made full use of his remarkable talent for getting balls back into play.

Picture: Getty. Karen Khachanov’s power was of no avail against the grit and guile of the world No 1.