GREAT Britain has home representation in the Wimbledon men's and women's quarter-finals for the first time in 44 years after Andy Murray ground out a victory over Benoit Paire.

Johanna Konta fulfilled her end of the bargain against Caroline Garcia and Murray ensured there was no upset on Centre Court with a 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 triumph.

The world No 1 is just the third player in the Open era after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer to reach ten consecutive quarter-finals at a single grand slam.

Yet this was not Murray at his best and questions remain about his fitness, despite the Scot attempting to play down any concern over a hip problem.

Following on from Alexander Bublik, Dustin Brown and Fabio Fognini, Paire is another of the tour's more quirky characters and Murray may simply be desperately short of rhythm.

Frenchman Paire, ranked 46, is known for his backhand, temper, drop shots and all-round unpredictability.

He launched himself into the air to play shots several times – never successfully – and hit 50 winners to Murray's 25.

But he also made 44 unforced errors to just eight from his opponent and ultimately did not come close to denying the home favourite.

The victory continued Murray's remarkable record against players from across the Channel – it is close to a decade and 28 matches since he lost to a Frenchman at a grand slam.

Murray said: "I thought I played well apart from a couple of sloppy service games in the first set. That's by far the best I have hit it this week. He's not an easy guy to play and tactics aren't easy against him."

Of his hip problems, Murray added: "Two weeks ago I was resting and a bit concerned. It was frustrating but I have managed it well and have played some good stuff. I'm doing well and hopefully will keep it up."

Next up he will play Sam Querrey from the United States, who defeated Kevin Anderson of South Africa 5-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 shortly after Murray celebrated his own victory.

Meanwhile, Konta survived another three-set thriller to beat Garcia and become the first British woman to reach the quarter-finals in 33 years.

Not since Jo Durie in 1984 has this country boasted a female in the last eight of the singles but Konta was made to work hard for her progress by a player Murray once labelled a future world No 1.

Garcia has all the shots but Konta's resilience again proved key in a 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 victory.

Konta admitted: "It was such a tough match to play. She's really on impressive form, so it's very hard to get any rhythm out there when she's serving so well and gets her first strike in.

"Overall I was just happy to get enough returns in during that last game. I was trying to stay light on my feet and strong in my body to try to neutralise her balls. There was very little between us."