Djokovic edges Federer in Paris classic

The second semi final n the Rolex Paris Masters:

• Roger Federer (3) v Novak Djokovic (2)

This was surely the match of the tournament to date, and no wonder given the players involved.

They played each other in the Cincinnati final, and Federer was down a little on his best, but not in today’s encounter.

The opening two games were tight, both going to deuce, but no service breaks.  In fact service was held throughout an engrossing first set, where Federer saved all the five break points that were offered Djokovic.

Djokovic was under the most pressure he’d received all week, but managed it ok.  Federer’s tennis was the sharpest he had displayed in a while.

Djokovic could have been serving for the set, but saw break points in the eighth game disappear, and eventually a tie break occurred.

Federer was ahead with a mini break twice before Djokovic drew level at 4-4, and then points were won by the server until 6-6, Djokovic saving a set point on the twelfth.  Federer lost the next point on his serve, giving Djokovic a second set point, which he duly converted, and took the lead 7-6(6)

When winning the first set in matches against Federer, Djokovic had previously won 17 of 18 encounters, so Roger needed something extraordinary to claim victory from here.

He began the fight back with tennis as good as set one, serving like we know he can, and resisting all the attempts from Djokovic to penetrate with break points created through variety of stroke play in several of the rallies.

Ultimately it was the Swiss ace who blew the set apart at 4-4, when he rattled off nine of eleven points, including the first service break of the match, and finished off the set with a winning forehand down the line.

7-5 to Federer and the match was even.

Djokovic had two more break chances in the opening game of the decider, but as had been the case with the previous eight, these two evaporated, and Federer held serve.

Djokovic played catch up serving second, but he did successfully, and on the way wasted two more break points.  A tie break would decide the match, only the third time this had happened in matches between the pair.

Federer double faulted to give Djokovic a second mini break and 4-1 lead.  This was sufficient comfort, and Federer faced five match points at 1-6.  He won his next two points on serve, but found the net on the next point, resulting in a three hour Djokovic win 7-6(6) 5-7 7-6(3).

The match was pulsating throughout, with Djokovic having to use all of his resources to fight off a quality Federer performance.

Novak Djokovic had to deal with 54 Swiss winners, and for the first time in his career he failed to convert a double figure quantity of break points.

He now has extended his match wins to 22, and is in the final against Karen Khachanov, attempting to win a record equaling 33rd Masters 1000 tournament.