• Paris Masters

Djokovic inflicts Paris pain on Federer

ESPN staff
November 2, 2013
Novak Djokovic is looking to win his second Paris Masters title © Getty Images
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Since losing both the US Open and his top spot in the rankings to Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic has been a man on a mission as he fought from behind to beat Roger Federer and reach the Paris Masters final.

After dropping the first set 6-4, Djokovic came from a break down in the second to take the next two 6-3 6-2 to reach the final.

The last time the two faced one another, Djokovic got the better of Federer in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals, and once again the Serb demonstrated his battling qualities to topple the Swiss.

After Nadal defeated Djokovic to win the US Open in the summer and overtook him to become the new world No. 1, Djokovic has not lost a match, triumphing at the Shanghai Masters and China Open, and now making it through to the Paris Masters final where he will aim to win the event for a second time.

Federer secured the opening break of the match in the third game as Djokovic struggled on his serve - and the Serb did well to avoid falling two breaks down by denying Federer in the fifth game.

The momentum was with the Swiss as he took the first set 6-4 and claimed an early break in the second. However, Djokovic raised his level and hit back to reclaim the break and get one himself in the sixth game after Federer failed to put a volley away at the net. Djokovic maintained the break throughout the set to force a decider.

Djokovic continued to put Federer under pressure, and the 17-time grand slam champion buckled as Djokovic broke twice in the third and seventh games to close out the win.

In the other semi-final, Nadal lost 6-3 7-5 to reigning champion David Ferrer after the little Spaniard put on a superb display to see off his fellow countryman.

Having lost the opening set, Nadal fell a break down in the second, but when Ferrer was forced to serve for the victory at 5-4, instead Nadal levelled at 5-5.

Ferrer though did not let the break bother him as he broke for a second time, and on this occasion held on for the win.

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