Djokovic beats Nadal, becomes a finalist in Paris
Novak Djokovic produced a performance of near perfection to beat Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-3 on Saturday in the semifinal of the Paris Masters.
Djokovic will play Frenchman Gael Monfils — rapturously acclaimed by the 15,000-strong crowd here — in Sunday’s final after Monfils clawed his way past a defiant Radek Stepanek 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
Djokovic, who will seeking his fifth title of the year from his 10 finals on the ATP Tour, claimed his first break of serve for a 4-2 lead in the first with as superb backhand winner down the line.
A further break saw the 23-year-old world number three secured the first set and made early inroads on Nadal’s service to lead 2-0 in the second set.
Nadal had saved five match points in his second-round win over Nicolas Almagro and survived another match point against another compatriot, 14th seed Tommy Robredo in the next round.
But there was to be no repeat of these heroics as Djokovic ruthlessly closed out victory with a further break and sealed victory with his 31st winner of the afternoon.
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