Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his quarter-final match against Croatia's Marin Cilic. (Reuters Photo)
PARIS, November 3 (Reuters): Novak Djokovic overcame nagging flu and a formidable examination from Marin Cilic, having to come from a set down to forge into the Paris Masters semi-finals with racket-smashing intensity and extend his winning streak to 21 matches on Friday. Djokovic, who will return to world number one next week, faces Roger Federer in Saturday's last four in Bercy after the great Swiss defeated Kei Nishikori comfortably 6-4 6-4 to move a step nearer to winning his 100th career title. Djokovic had his personal best winning sequence of 30 consecutive sets ended as Cilic played almost flawlessly aggressive tennis to draw first blood in a magnificent duel. Yet it only prompted Djokovic to increase his focus and produce some supreme play to turn the tide and prevail 4-6 6-2 6-3.
It was all the more remarkable as the Serb revealed afterwards that he was still feeling under the weather.
"I'm still struggling. It's kind of a flu. But it's not easy to perform every single day, the energy levels are not as high," he told reporters. "I try to manage the situation but I've had this particular case before so I hope I can progress day by day."
Khachanov destroys Thiem
Karen Khachanov showed why he is one of the finest young talents in tennis as he powered into the final of the Paris Masters with a thunderous 6-4 6-1 victory over Dominic Thiem on Saturday. The 22-year-old, 6ft 6in Russian, already the owner of two indoor hard court titles this year, moved one step away from the biggest title of his career at the Bercy indoor arena, crushing his Austrian friend in 70 one-sided minutes. Khachanov will now play his first Masters 1000 final on Sunday against the winner of the blockbuster second semi between Novak Djokovic, who will be back to world number one on Monday, and Roger Federer, who is seeking a 100th career title.
