Djokovic into Paris semis

Novak Djokovic has extended his winning streak to 20 at the Paris Masters on Friday, defeating Tomas Berdych 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (10-8) to reach the semi-finals.

The straight sets victory also meant that he has now won 28 sets in a row – the best run of his career – dating back to the US Open final in early September.

But he had a battle on his hands against fifth-seeded Berdych, a winner in Paris 10 years ago when he was just 20.

Djokovic will play the winner of the remaining quarter-final between Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka for a place in Sunday’s final.

Andy Murray reached the semis for the first time, but it needed a marathon effort to see off the last remaining Frenchman, Richard Gasquet.

“I think the level during the first set was extremely good,” Murray said.

“After that it was a little bit up and down. But I just managed to hang in at the end after losing the momentum in the second set.”

The second seed, who had dropped just four games in reaching the last eight, was kept hard at it for two hours 38 minutes before edging into the semis 7-6 (9-7) 3-6 6-3.

Five times previously Murray had fallen in the quarter-finals of the ATP’s regular season finale and he will now play Spanish eighth seed David Ferrer who ended the run of giant American John Isner.

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