Djokovic edges Tsitsipas in classic to reach eighth Paris Masters final

Former world No 1 Novak Djokovic edged out Stefanos Tsitsipas in a brilliant semi-final at the Paris Masters on Saturday to reach the final of the Masters 1000 for an eighth time.

The six-time champion outplayed Tsitsipas in the first set but the Greek hit back superbly, only for Djokovic to win the deciding-set tiebreak 7-4, coming from a mini-break down at 4-3.

The Serb will play Danish teenager Holger Rune, who beat Felix Auger-Aliassime, in Sunday’s final.

“It’s very sweet obviously when you win matches like this against one of the best players in the world,” Djokovic said. “I thought I started the match very well. Had chances in the second, momentum shifted, crowd got into it and he elevated his level of tennis. Just really glad to overcome this challenge.

“I was just proud to be part of such a fantastic atmosphere as well. To play one of the best players in the world at this stage, it means a lot to me because, again, at this stage of my career, to keep pushing myself, keep motivating myself, keep believing that I can win these matches, it means a lot mentally, emotionally for me, more than anything, really, because I need to also make a statement that I’m still there with the young guys, that I’m able to compete with them and win such tight matches.”

Djokovic races out of the blocks, then tested hard

The 35-year-odl Djokovic, looking for a seventh title at Bercy, raced to a one-set lead with a brilliant display, outplaying Tsitsipas in all departments.

But the Greek hit back in stunning fashion, breaking on his way to a 4-2 lead and then going on to hold the advantage to force a decider.

Djokovic lifted his game again in the third, serving superbly and pushing for the vital break on the Tsitsipas serve. The Greek held firm on more than one occasion, especially at 4-4, when he held from 15-40 with some stunning tennis.

Tsitsipas grabbed the first mini break in the tiebreak, at 4-3 but Djokovic, as he has done so many times in his career, locked in and won four straight points to clinch victory and reach the final yet again.

Djokovic looking forward to Rune encounter

Djokovic and Rune have trained together a number of times, and played each other just once, at the US Open in 2021, when Rune took the first set before Djokovic won in four.

The Serb said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing someone almost half his age.

“No doubt that he’s the future of the sport, along with Alcaraz and some other guys,” he said. “Hopefully I can suspend his first title Masters 1000 (title)

“I played him only once (at the) US Open (in 2021), good battle, four sets. He has improved a lot, no doubt. I mean, he physically is a very fit guy. He’s young, so not much to lose. Just swinging through the ball.

“I expect that also tomorrow. I saw him play today. Yesterday, it was just a very impressive game. Kind of reminds me of myself, you know, solid backhand and very good defense and, you know, just competitive, every point leaving his heart and his legs out there on the court. It’s nice to see that. I think he’s very good for our sport in general.”

Djokovic is through to the final for the loss of just one set, having beaten American Maxime Cressy (7-6 (1), 6-4), Russian Karen Khachanov (6-4, 6-1) and Italian Lorenzo Musetti (6-0, 6-3).

Earlier in the tournament, Tsitsipas, ranked No 5, beat Daniel Evans (6-3, 6-4), French qualifier Corentin Moutet (6-3, 7-6 (3)) and American Tommy Paul (6-2, 6-4).

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