Djokovic, Dimitrov set up ATP Paris Masters final

World No.1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia is eyeing his 40th ATP Masters title after eliminating Russian player Andrey Rublev 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-5 in the Paris Masters semifinal round on Saturday, setting up the next round with Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who won his only Masters title in 2017 in Cincinnati.

It will be the ninth Paris Master final for Djokovic, who could potentially extend the event's title record having won six of the eight finals he previously played. With another title, he could also establish a leading edge of 1,490 points over Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Live Race To Turin ranking, which would hugely boost his chance of ending the season as world No.1 for a record-extending eighth time.

"Rublev was suffocating me like a snake suffocates a frog for most of the match," said Djokovic. "He was playing an extremely high level that he possesses, but today he was off the charts, honestly. I don't think I've ever faced Rublev this good," he added. 

On Saturday, the 36-year-old broke to start the match only for Rublev to hit back the next game, drawing a loose backhand from the Serbian at the end of a lengthy rally. The top seed produced some clutch serving to escape a 0-40 hole to hold for 4-4, but Rublev took his next opportunity with Djokovic trying to stay in the set. Rublev punished a weak second serve to bring up set point, and he soon surged ahead as Djokovic botched a drop shot attempt. 

Djokovic fought off a break point early in the second set but failed to convert any of his four opportunities against a resilient Rublev, and clung on to win a gruelling point dictated by Rublev to move 4-2 up in the tie-break, then ripped a return winner off his rival's serve to produce three set points. He only needed one, belting an ace out wide to send the match to a third set. 

Djokovic received treatment on his back between sets but did not appear to be hindered as he carved out two break points in the fourth game. Rublev resisted until Djokovic cranked up the pressure with the Russian serving to stay in the match. Djokovic cracked a sensational backhand winner to start the final game and imposed his will against a faltering Rublev, who hurled his racquet in disgust after a double fault sealed his fate.

Earlier, Dimitrov produced some of his best tennis in the decider against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas to improve his head-to-head record with his rival to 2-6 with a 6-3, 6-7(1), 7-6(3) victory, and become the sixth unseeded finalist in the past eight years at the Paris event.

(With input from AFP)