Djokovic progresses to Paris Masters final

Serb fights back to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Federer.

PARIS:

Novak Djokovic won the battle of the former world number ones by subduing Roger Federer 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in an entertaining encounter to reach the Paris Masters final yesterday.

The Serb struggled to control an aggressive Federer in the first set before overpowering the Swiss in the decider.

Federer, who has slipped down to sixth in the rankings after enduring his worst season in 10 years, broke his opponent’s serve in the third game.

Loudly cheered by the packed crowd, the 17-time grand slam champion unsettled Djokovic by attacking the net as often as possible and hitting some sharp groundstrokes.

Federer looked set to qualify for his first Masters Series final this year when he broke Djokovic again in the opening game of the second set, only to see the Serb strike back to level 1-1.

Federer lost the initiative after errors started to creep into his game and he also struggled with his serve. The Serb broke Federer’s serve a second time to lead 4-2 and held on to force a decider.

Djokovic carried the momentum into the third set to book his place in the final. Both players will meet again next week at the ATP World Tour Finals in London after they were drawn in the round robin same group.

The victory also helped six-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic keep alive his slim hopes of regaining top spot in the world rankings from Rafael Nadal.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2013.

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