Andy Murray stands one win from being crowned world No.1 for the first time after a straight-sets victory over Tomas Berdych at the Paris Masters.

The 29-year-old Murray is set to become the second-oldest player to debut at No.1 behind Australian great John Newcombe, who achieved the feat aged 30 in June, 1974.

Murray saved seven points in an extraordinary second set tie-break before eventually going on to overcome the Czech 7-6 (11-9) 7-5 and book his place in the semi-finals.

The Scot will now look to handle the added pressure surrounding his semi-final.

Asked how he would cope, Murray said on Sky Sports 3: “I don’t know because I’ve never been in that position before so it’s a new experience for me, so I don’t know how I’ll deal with it.

“Normally when you play big matches, once you step on court you feel fine.

“My goal isn’t to get to number one this year. I was looking at the beginning of next year as the chance to do it.

“If it happens this week, great.

“I’m happy with the way I’m playing just now. It’s been a great few months for me. I’ll try to finish this week as best I can.”

Victory on Saturday over his next opponent – either Milos Raonic or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – will be enough to lift Murray to the summit after current rankings leader Novak Djokovic suffered a shock straight-sets loss to Marin Cilic.

Djokovic was far from his best on super-fast carpet and was beaten 6-4 7-6 (2), his first loss against the former US Open champion in 15 clashes.

“I wasn’t on the level that I could have been on,” Djokovic said.

“I was also, in this kind of circumstances and with this level of play, in a good position to take the match into the third set, and then two double faults.

“Just in important moments I wasn’t able to deliver. He is a deserved winner.”

If he wins the title, Murray, who has spent 76 weeks at No. 2, will become the 26th player to reach No.1 since the rankings started in 1973.