British number one, Andy Murray, says that his straight-sets victory over Milos Raonic has given him confidence ahead of Wednesday's US Open last-eight meeting with Marin Cilic.
The 25-year-old reached his eighth consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final with a 6-4 6-4 6-2 triumph over his big-serving Canadian opponent at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night.
Murray's performance was in sharp contrast to his struggles against Feliciano Lopez in the New York heat in round three.
Number 12 seed, Cilic, awaits in the next round. The Croat has beaten Murray only once in seven meetings, at Flushing Meadows in 2009.
"Physically, I'm feeling better than at the beginning of the tournament. It's good to play a match like that (against Raonic) at this stage of the tournament," said Murray.
"It gives me some confidence going into the next round because I didn't feel great after the last round."
Murray, still chasing his first Grand Slam title, has enjoyed an encouraging second half of 2012, with a first appearance in a Wimbledon final followed by an Olympic gold on home soil.
Cilic admitted Murray has gone from strength to strength in recent times and will pose a significant threat in the quarter-finals, a point that fans placing a bet on sport should bear in mind
"He's really improved. When I played him this year at Wimbledon (Murray won in straight sets), he had some different shots and he served much better," said the 23-year-old.
"His confidence is much bigger than before, after winning a gold medal at the Olympics. Now he's going to be very dangerous for all of us."
Murray and Cilic will play third on Arthur Ashe, following the conclusion of the rain-affected women's quarter-final between Maria Sharapova and Marion Bartoli, and Andy Roddick and Juan Martin del Potro's last-16 tie.
