Richard Gasquet has beaten Marin Cilic in straight sets to go through to the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals.
The Frenchman has impressed in recent weeks, reaching the semi-finals in Miami last month, and he remained on course for a second last-four appearance with a 7-5 6-4 over Cilic.
The first set was fiercely contested, with four breaks of serve occurring in the opening 10 games, before Gasquet took advantage to break for a third time to move ahead.
The second set took a similar path to that of the first, with breaks of serve continuing to be exchanged, but again it was Gasquet who was showing the greater composure on the big points.
Cilic maintained an interest in the match with his strong forehand from the baseline, but Gasquet held on to seal a safe passage through to the last eight.
Darren Plant
