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Andy Murray through after dropping set to journeyman

World No.4 Andy Murray has booked his berth in the Australian Open quarter-finals after overcoming French journeyman Stephane Robert.

For the first two sets Murray was a class above Robert, who is ranked 119, but he was pushed into a fourth by the bold 33-year-old, who saw off two match points.

The Wimbledon champion again lifted to take the win 6-1 6-2 6-7 (8-6) 6-2.

Murray, a three-time Australian Open finalist, will face the winner of the clash on Monday night between Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The Scotsman raced through the first set in just 25 minutes and the second was completed in similar style as Murray showed he had regained his touch after major back surgery in September.

He had control of the third set after breaking Robert in the sixth game but let his unfancied opponent back into the match, levelling at 5-5.

Robert led 3-0 in the tiebreak but Murray steamed back and had two match points that he was unable to convert.

The Frenchman made no mistake with his set point, resulting in Murray smashing his racquet in frustration.

The 26-year-old used his disappointment to spur him on in the fourth, never troubled as he wrapped up the win.

It was still a great result for Robert, who was beaten in qualifying but then got a start following an injury withdrawal and became the first lucky loser ever to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

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