PARIS (AFP) – Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will meet for the 47th time Saturday with a place in the Paris Masters final at stake.
Federer, chasing a 100th career title, moved a step closer to that goal with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Japan’s Kei Nishikori in Friday’s quarterfinals in the French capital.
Djokovic, who will take over as world number one from Rafael Nadal on Monday, reached the semifinals after recovering from a break down in the final set to defeat Marin Cilic, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, and rack up his 21st consecutive win.
Djokovic leads Federer 24-22 and has not lost to the Swiss since 2015.
However, the Serb star admits that his challenge on Saturday may be compromised by a heavy cold.
“I’m still struggling. It’s kind of a flu. It’s not easy to perform every single day, the energy levels are not as high,” said the second seed.
Four-time Paris champion Djokovic, who went into Friday’s quarter-final with a 15-2 record over Cilic, had three break points in the opening set but the Croatian held firm.
Cilic wrapped up the opener in the 10th game, ending Wimbledon and US Open champion Djokovic’s 30-set win streak in the process.
However, the 14-time major winner roared back, breaking twice in the second set to level the contest.
Cilic, who defeated 31-year-old Djokovic in the final at Queen’s Club in the summer, was a break ahead again for a 2-1 lead in the decider.
But Djokovic fought back, retrieving the break in the next game and breaking again in the eighth to lay the foundation for victory.
