Djokovic defeat sets up Murray to go to No. 1
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[November 05, 2016]
PARIS (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic
was dumped out of the Paris Masters in straight sets by Marin Cilic
on Friday, opening the door for Andy Murray to end the Serb's
two-year stranglehold on the world number one ranking.
Djokovic, chasing a fifth title in Paris, slumped to his first
defeat by big-serving Croat Cilic in 15 matches as he went down 6-4
7-6(2).
The defeat means Murray, who ousted Czech Tomas Berdych 7-6(9) 7-5,
need only win his semi-final against Canadian Milos Raonic to bring
to an end the Serb's reign as number one that started in July 2014.
"He definitely played better today and deserved to win. I wasn't at
the level I could have been," said Djokovic.
"I was in a good position to take the match into the third set but
hit two double faults. In important moments I wasn't able to
deliver."
Djokovic, who needed to reach the final to guarantee keeping Murray
at bay, saved two match points at 6-5 in the second set, the latter
with a superb forehand cross court, but was soon facing a losing
battle in the tiebreak.
Cilic, who on Thursday clinched his spot in the World Tour Finals in
London later this month, raced into a 5-2 lead before a huge serve
set up four more match points.
He was soon celebrating after swiping away a mid-court forehand to
claim victory in one hour 45 minutes.
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MUCH RESPECT
Asked about Murray replacing him as number one, Djokovic said: "He's
definitely a player who deserves that. To see how he has raised his
level in the last 12 months is quite extraordinary.
"We have known each other since very, very early days. We were I
think 11 years old when we first played against each other -- much
respect for what he has done."
Murray came through an exciting encounter with seventh seed Berdych.
The Scot saved five set points, and seven in all, after going 6-1
down in a captivating 16-minute tiebreak that he eventually took
11-9 with a forehand crosscourt winner.
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![](../images/110516pics/sports47.jpg)
Paris Masters tennis
tournament men's singles quarterfinals - Novak Djokovic of Serbia v
Marin Cilic of Croatia - Paris, France - 4/11/2016 - Djokovic reacts
at the end of the match. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Nov/05/images/ads/current/dd_spec_BD_lda_wpic_2016.png)
Berdych, realising he had missed a golden opportunity, had his serve
broken in the opening game of the second set.
The Czech broke back when his opponent served for the match at 5-4
but Murray responded by breaking again before he completed victory
with a venomous ace down the middle.
"Maybe a little bit before the match there were a few more nerves
but once I got out there I didn't let it affect me," said the Scot.
"It was a great atmosphere and a packed crowd.
"My goal wasn't to get to number one this year, I was looking at the
beginning of next year as the chance to do it. If it happens this
week then great."
Fourth seed Raonic progressed with a 6-2 7-6 (4) victory over
Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Heavy-serving John Isner, who is unseeded, secured a meeting with
Cilic after firing 17 aces as he beat fellow American Jack Sock
7-6(6) 4-6 6-4.
(Writing by Tony Jimenez; Editing by Andrew Both)
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