Andy Murray cruised past Lucas Pouille to reach the quarter-finals ©Getty Images

Andy Murray showed ominous form as he seeks a fourth tournament victory in as many weeks by cruising past Frenchman Lucas Pouille in a Paris Masters third round clash today. 

It means the Wimbledon and Olympic champion can still claim the world number one ranking for the first time in his career this week if he wins and Serbian ranking leader Novak Djokovic fails to reach the final of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Masters 1000 event.

Murray hardly broke sweat today in a 6-3, 6-0 victory over serve and volley specialist Pouille.

He will next face either Czech Tomas Berdych or another Frenchman in Gilles Simon.

Djokovic also progressed into the quarter-finals, but only just after recovering from a set down against Bulgaria's Grigor Dmitriov. 

Novak Djokovic was forced to work far harder before beating Grigor Dmitriov ©Getty Images
Novak Djokovic was forced to work far harder before beating Grigor Dmitriov ©Getty Images

The French Open champion showed customary fighting qualities to triumph 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 at the AccorHotels Arena.

He will next face Croatia's Marin Cilic, who beat Belgian opponent David Goffin 6-3, 7-6 today.

Canada's Milos Raonic is also through after a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas.

Two Americans also progressed.

John Isner beat German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 while Jack Sock added to French disappointment by defeating Richard Gasquet, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.