Andy Murray remains on course to become the highest-ranked British man of the professional era after cruising into the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

Should Novak Djokovic lose his last-four clash with Roger Federer today and Murray go on to win the title, the Scot will move up to No3 in the world.

That will eclipse the previous men's British record - since official rankings began in 1973 - of No4, which Murray shares with Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski.

The Scot produced a convincing display in his 6-1, 6-2 quarter-final win over Fernando Verdasco and in doing so gained revenge on the player who beat him in January's Australian Open.

The 21-year-old lost a five-setter against Verdasco in the opening grand slam of the year in Melbourne —the first time he had lost to Verdasco in six meetings — but was on a different level last night and cast the Spaniard aside in just 75 minutes to book a last-four meeting with surprise semi-finalist Juan Martin del Potro, who knocked out World No1 Rafael Nadal with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 win.

Murray said afterwards: “It was nice and cool for me in my match, which was enjoyable. That was different from what I saw from Rafa and Del Potro's match when it was roasting.

“I'm guessing Del Potro will be a little bit tired after that one. There were a lot of long and tough rallies. Obviously it will still be a tough match and I will have to play well to win. But if I stay focused and play like I did against Verdasco then I've a good chance.”