Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal power into Paris Masters semi-finals to maintain collision course

Novak Djokovic meaning business

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are both into the semi-finals of the Paris Masters after impressive displays in the last eight.

Djokovic was in especially dominant mood, beating Stefanis Tsitsipas 6-1, 6-2, avenging last month’s Shanghai Masters defeat in less than an hour.

The Serb, who jostling with Nadal as he bids to finish the year at the top of the rankings for a record-equalling sixth time, will face Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals.

Bulgarian Dimitrov battled past Cristian Garin of Chile 6-2 7-5 in an hour and 29 minutes.

“I played one of the best matches of the season,” Djokovic said. “I prepared myself very well for this match.

“I lost to Stefanos about three weeks ago in Shanghai, and obviously I went through the videos and understanding on what I did well, what I didn’t do so well, what I can do better.

“Obviously different conditions, you know, indoors, but I managed to really start off well and didn’t really allow him too many opportunities to really come back.”

Home hopes were dashed when Nadal beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga while Denis Shapovalov dispatched Gael Monfils.

Nadal had to overcome a determined Tsonga and a partisan crowd in a 7-6 (4) 6-1 victory.

The Spaniard will take on Canadian Shapovalov, who breezed past Monfils 6-2 6-2, in the last four.

Monfils’ defeat means Italian Matteo Berrettini takes the final spot at the ATP Finals in London later this month.

The 23-year-old joins fellow debutants Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev along with Nadal, Djokovic, Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem and defending champion Alexander Zverev.

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