Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer reached the Paris Masters quarter-finals on Thursday as the last-eight line-up mirrored the same men heading to London next week for the World Tour Finals.
World No.1 Nadal made the ATP points system look true to form after his 7-5 6-4 victory over last year’s runner-up Jerzy Janowicz completed the line-up in the last match of the day.
The Spaniard, who is also looking for a record sixth Masters title in the same season, joins Djokovic, David Ferrer, Juan Martin del Potro, Tomas Berdych, Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka and Richard Gasquet in the Paris quarter-finals and in the London season-ender.
Wawrinka and Gasquet claimed the final two World Tour Finals places after Canadian Milos Raonic suffered a tough 7-6 (15-13) 6-4 defeat to Berdych.
Nadal endured a ferocious serving onslaught from Wimbledon semi-finalist Janowicz before finally taming the 22-year-old from Poland.
A high-quality first set swung at 5-5 with Janowicz serving and numerous deuces that finally went Nadal’s way for the first break of the match, the Mallorcan holding to close out the opener.
“It was very difficult to deal with his serve but I was able to get the win and I’m very, very happy,” said Nadal, the French Open and US Open champion, who will tackle Gasquet for a semi-final spot.
“Tomorrow, I’m playing against my friend (Gasquet) and it’s going to be a great match but I’m really happy for him that he made it to the World Tour Finals.
Second seed Djokovic overcame American John Isner 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-2, fifth-seeded Federer outclassed German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 6-4 and Swiss seventh seed Wawrinka beat Spain’s Nicolas Almagro 6-3 6-2.
Raonic’s defeat meant Gasquet was assured of the last available London place even before he downed Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-2.
Djokovic, chasing a 40th ATP title and bidding to reclaim the world No.1 ranking, next meets Wawrinka, whom he defeated in epic five-set marathons at the Australian and US opens this year.
“It is a big challenge for me and Wawrinka,” said Djokovic, who also has the Davis Cup final to consider on November 15.
“He has been enjoying probably the best season in his career.”
Federer, the 17-time grand slam winner, will meet Argentine del Potro who defeated rising Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov 3-6 6-3 6-4.
Looking ahead from his loss to del Potro in last weekend’s Basel final, 32-year-old Federer said: “It’s an important match for both of us and also looking ahead to London where we could meet. It could give one of us an advantage for London so it’s a key match.
“I like to play him – he’s one of the best indoor players on the tour.”
Ferrer, the third-seeded defending champion, thrashed Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-2 6-3 to move on to a last-eight tie against Berdych.
