Andy Murray continues fine form to ease past Steve Johnson in Shanghai

Great Britain's world number two Murray - fresh from lifting last week's China Open title - will face Frenchman Lucas Pouille on Thursday for a place in the quarter-finals after he completed a 6-4 7-6 (10-8) success against Nicolas Almagro.

Murray was never really tested against world number 24 Johnson - who pushed Murray to three sets in the quarter-finals during his run to gold at the Rio Olympics - as he threw down three aces and 16 winners.

The Scotsman also converted three out of six break points.

"I played a very good match," said Murray. "Rio was one of those matches where I got off to a very good start, but he broke me at the start of the second set and kind of totally changed the momentum of the match to get through that one."

Murray is expecting a tough test against Pouille in the third round. Murray faced the world number 16 for the first time on his way to winnin the Rome Masters by completing a 6-2 6-1 win in the semi-finals.

"He goes for his shots, serves well and takes a lot of risks," said Murray. "He had a good run at the US Open and Wimbledon. He is very consistent.

"He likes the big matches."

Murray survived an early break chance against him in the opening game, before forcing a break of his own to love in game six.

Murray's greater athleticism around the court was proving key as the Scot went on to close out the first set in 41 minutes.

Johnson was finding it difficult to get a foothold in the match and let frustrations get the better of him with some colourful language at the start of the second set.

The American then received a warning for smashing a ball away as he faced three break points in the third game.

Murray, though, did not let the opportunity slip, as he converted the next chance to move 3-1 ahead, with Johnson bemoaning an earlier line call to the umpire during the break.

The British number one did not relinquish control, keeping pressure on Johnson's next serve, and delivered another break as the American lashed a baseline return wide.

Murray held to lead 5-1, and although Johnson reduced the deficit, it was only delaying the inevitable as the British number one served out for the match, completing victory in one hour and 16 minutes.

2-Andy Murray (Britain) beat Steve Johnson (U.S.) 6-3 6-2

Viktor Troicki (Serbia) beat 4-Rafael Nadal (Spain) 6-3 7-6(3)

13-Lucas Pouille (France) beat Nicolas Almagro (Spain) 6-4 7-6(10)

Vasek Pospisil (Canada) beat Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 7-5 7-6(2)

Mischa Zverev (Germany) beat 12-Nick Kyrgios (Australia) 6-3 6-1

11-David Goffin (Belgium) beat Benoit Paire (France) 6-1 7-6(0)

3-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) beat Kyle Edmund (Britain) 6-3 6-4

5-Milos Raonic (Canada) beat Paolo Lorenzi (Italy) 6-2 6-4

Gilles Simon (France) beat Wu Di (China) 6-2 6-2

Marcel Granollers (Spain) beat 7-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 7-6(4) 7-6(1)

Vasek Pospisil (Canada) beat Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 7-5 7-6(2)

Mischa Zverev (Germany) beat 12-Nick Kyrgios (Australia) 6-3 6-1

Jack Sock (U.S.) beat Feliciano Lopez (Spain) 6-3 4-6 6-4

15-Roberto Bautista (Spain) beat Taylor Fritz (U.S.) 6-4 6-4