It appeared to be a repeat of the second set when Lokoli saved one other match level.

But Murray held his nerve to seal his spot within the subsequent spherical after a backhand from the 28-year-old went lengthy at 40-30, letting out an enormous sigh of aid after a rollercoaster journey for the fifth seed.

He will now tackle one other Frenchman, Luca Van Assche, within the final eight. Other notable opponents he might face later within the match embody Alexander Bublik and high pace Tommy Paul, who additionally made it by way of to the quarter-finals.

After dropping all of his final three ATP finals, it might actually do wonders for Murray's confidence forward of the French Open if he can safe a win on this ATP Challenger occasion.