Top seeded Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic eased past Frenchman Florent Serra 6-0, 6-2 in just 56 minutes to advance into the quarter-finals of the Open Sud de France.

Berdych fired nice aces and saved all three break points to set up next round meeting with another Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, who battled past sixth seeded German Florian Mayer 7-6(3), 6-3.

In another match, defending champion and third seeded localite Gael Monfils arrowed 17 aces to down American Michael Russell 6-3, 6-3.

He will next face eighth seeded Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, who defeated wild card Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-6(4), 6-1.