It’s Federer and Djokovic in the Paris Semifinals

Published 11/02/2018, 7:51 PM EDT

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The 20-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer has made a flourishing progress in the French capital. The Swiss native, after his thriving quarterfinal victory over the Japanese, Kei Nishikori advances to take on the World Number one, Novak Djokovic in the last four of the Rolex Paris Masters. Federer sets up a potential clash against Djokovic for the 47th time in their career. Djokovic leads Federer in their head-to-head, 24-22, and there are a few more perks which favour the Serb. He has won the duo’s last three meetings, as well as their only career meeting at this event in Paris. In the 2013 semifinals, he bounced back from a set down to beat the Swiss, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Also, at Fluhsing Meadows this year, the Australian man, John Millman hindered their quarterfinal battle. 

via Imago

The 2011 Paris champion, Federer spent about one hour and 21 minutes to wrap up his sixth straight win over the Japanese. En route to his 100th crown, the Swiss tennis wizard eased into the semifinals by dismissing the Japanese 6-4 6-4. Federer saved a break point with a volley when serving for the set at 5-4. Also, he broke Nishikori at the beginning of the second set and dominated the match. As Nishikori falls to Federer his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals diminish. 

via Imago

Djokovic battled past the Croatian, Marin Cilic to reserve the berth in the semifinals in Paris. The Croat put an end to the Serb’s 30-set win streak by sealing the opening set. However, the Wimbledon and US Open champion revived his dominance in the quarterfinal match broke him twice in the second set to even up the set score. Moreover, in the third set, Djokovic tussled to stay in the tournament and broke the Croat in the eighth game which happened to be the rock-bottom for his 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 quarterfinal victory.

“It was a big challenge. I was a break down in the third set. This match could have gone either way,” said Djokovic. “I won the match, but if he would’ve won it, it would’ve been absolutely deserved.  I’m just pleased to be in the semis. I know I can play better. At times tonight, I was playing really well. At times, not that great. So there are things that I have to obviously improve for the next one, and I’m looking forward to it.” Despite everything, Djokovic will retrieve the World Number one ranking next week regardless of where he finishes this week.

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Mahalakshmi Murali

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Mahalakshmi Murali joined EssentiallySports in 2018 as a tennis author and has gone on to pen more than 1800 engaging articles, probing into various aspects of the sport and its illustrious players. With her expertise on the sport, Mahalakshmi has interviewed stalwarts from the sport such as Serena WIlliams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Kevin Anderson’s physio, Carlos Costa. Equipped with her vast experience and a keen understanding of the sport, Mahalakshmi now co-heads the tennis department.
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