Djokovic sinks Tsitsipas, Berretini books London spot

Novak Djokovic thrashed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-1 6-2 to book his place in the semifinals of the Paris Masters.

The Serb, who will be supplanted as world No.1 by Rafael Nadal on Monday, showed no signs of the cold that bothered him in his first two rounds as he produced a brilliant display that lasted less than an hour.

He will next face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, whose solid run at Bercy continued when he saw off Chile’s Cristian Garin 6-2 7-5.

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Nadal edged closer to a maiden Paris Masters title, ending local favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s resilience in a 7-6(4) 6-1 victory to set up a semifinal against Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

Italian Matteo Berrettini, who was eliminated in the second round, meanwhile claims the remaining spot for November’s 10-17 ATP Finals in London after France’s Gael Monfils lost to Shapovalov 6-2 6-2.

Djokovic, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, raced through the first set and came close to handing Greek seventh seed Tsitsipas a bagel as he set up three set points at 5-0.

Tsitsipas saved them but then surrendered the set with some awful shots.

Statement win for @DjokerNole! ????

The World No. 1 defeats Tsitsipas 6-1 6-2 in just 58 minutes to set up a semi-final with Dimitrov.#RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/pQSIm9jJFk

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 1, 2019

After securing an early break in the second set, Djokovic did not look back as he avenged his quarterfinal loss to the Greek in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters this year.

“I played one of the best matches of the season. I prepared myself very well for this match,” Djokovic said.

“I lost to Stefanos about three weeks ago in Shanghai. and obviously I went through the videos [to better] understand what I did well, what I didn’t do so well, what I can do better.”

Earlier Dimitrov, who had been struggling since being beaten in the US Open semi-final in September, overcame a second-set wobble to reach the last four.

Dimitrov made a quick start as he broke Garin in his first service game. The Bulgarian bagged the opening set with another break in the eighth game as nerves got the better of Garin who was contesting his first Masters quarterfinal.

Dimitrov moved 2-0 up in the second set but Garin hit back with his first break of the match to level for 2-2 and he stole the 28-year-old’s serve again to lead 5-4.

Dimitrov, however, broke straight back and wrapped it up on Garin’s serve on his first match point.