1 Nov 2014

Paris semi-finalists found

3:05 pm on 1 November 2014

Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic upset world No.2 Roger Federer to make the Paris Masters semi-finals and stay alive in the race to reach the World Tour Finals.

The 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 victory for the Canadian was his first over Federer in seven meetings and also snapped the Swiss maestro's 14-match winning streak.

Novak Djokovic made it an even worse day for the Swiss 17-time grand slam winner when he knocked out Andy Murray 7-5 6-2 to book his semi-final place.

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Serbian world No.1 stays on track to maintain his top ranking with Federer less than 500 points behind him coming into Paris.

There are 1000 points on offer at Bercy with a maximum 1500 available for an unbeaten run to the title at the World Tour Finals in London in just over a week.

Djokovic will next face Japan's Kei Nishikori who became the first Asian player to reach the World Tour Finals with a gutsy 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 win over Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer.

"I knew before the match there was going to be a lot of long rallies and he's a player who plays well on all surfaces but I'm very happy and hope to continue my run here," said Djokovic who recently became a father.

"I'm in the semi-finals now and will just concentrate on tomorrow (Saturday). I'm here to focus on my tennis and then get back to my family as soon as possible."

Winner of six ATP titles, including in Washington this year, Raonic must claim the Paris title to guarantee his place in London for the eight-man season finals.

"I played well throughout the match and served really well so it's a great victory," said Raonic, who now faces Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals.

"Considering all the circumstances around it, I think this was the biggest win for me."

Berdych guaranteed his place at the World Tour finals for the fifth straight year when he defeated South African Kevin Anderson.

The Czech, who won the Bercy tournament on his debut in 2005 -- his only Masters title to date -- came through a tight contest 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-4 in just under three hours.

The players now qualified for London are Djokovic, Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic, Murray and Berdych with Ferrer and Nishikori holding the last two spots and trying to hold off the charging Raonic.