Frenchman Richard Gasquet (photo) saw his opponent, Andy Murray, withdraw because of a virus while compatriot Gilles Simon got the best over veteran Fabrice Santoro to reach the Dubai Open semi-finals.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga impressed Marseilles' Palais des Sport by overpowering Italy's Simone Bolelli 6-3, 6-2 in an hour. Gilles Simon will face fellow Frenchman Benneteau in the next round, while Novak Djokovic takes on Germany's Mischa Zverev.
Masters Cup semi-finalist Gilles Simon eliminated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov to get into the second round, with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win. Fabrice Santoro and Marat Safin were both beaten in three sets by Frenchmen Julien Benneteau and Arnaud Clement.
Top seed Rafael Nadal strolled into the quarter finals where he will face Frenchman Gilles Simon. Fourth seed Andy Murray was sent packing by Spain's Fernando Verdasco, while France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat USA's James Blake.
Saturday started well for the French at the Australian Open: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Gaël Monfils have all booked places in the last 16. For Simon (photo), it's the first time he's reached the fourth round at a grand slam tournament.
Andy Murray cruised through the first round in Melbourne after his opponent pulled out with an injury. Gilles Simon and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also eased into the second round. Lleyton Hewitt was the sole big shot to be pulled out.
