That helped the former world number one take a 3-1 lead, but Murray raised his game with devastating effect to break to love twice in succession, winning five games in a row to take the set 6-3.
From deuce at 3-1 down on his own serve, Murray took 18 of the next 19 points as Ferrero wilted under the pressure, and it looked like a place in the semi-finals was there for the taking.
Ferrero finally stopped the rot by holding serve in the opening game of the set, but his body language did not suggest he was confident of producing the third comeback of his career from 2-0 down.
In contrast Murray was throwing himself around the court after apparently lost causes, almost ending up in the crowd as he chased a Ferrero smash.
Ferrero saved a break point in the third game and two more in his next service game before finally succumbing to the pressure, Murray moving the Spaniard around the court at will before firing a forehand winner down the line to take a 3-2 lead.
And that comprehensively signalled the end of the former French Open champion’s resistance, Murray breaking him again to love as he stormed to a 7-5 6-3 6-2 win.
