Novak Djokovic overcame American John Isner while Roger Federer outclassed Philipp Kohlschreiber to join Juan Martin Del Potro, Stanislas Wawrinka and defending champ David Ferrer in the Paris Masters quarter-finals on Thursday.
Federer celebrated his place at the World Tour Finals in London with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Germany’s Phillip Kohlschreiber as the former world number one continued his return to form.
He now meets Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro who defeated rising Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov 3-6 6-3 6-4.
“It was a complicated match because he can hit the ball with lots of lift but also very flat,” explained the Swiss 17-time Grand Slam winner.
“He hit a few double faults at important moments so I was a bit lucky too.”
Turning to his meeting with Del Potro, the 32-year-old added: “It’s an important match for both of us and also looking ahead to London where we could meet there. 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 and has been playing really well. I hope he’s maybe a bit tired because I’m tired too,” he joked.
Djokovic, who won in Paris in 2009 and is not only chasing a 40th ATP title but also the world number one spot, dropped the first set before storming back for a 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-2 victory over Isner.
He now meets Wawrinka against whom he has already played some classic matches this season, notably their five-set semi-final at the US Open where the Serb finally prevailed.
“It is a big challenge for me and both Wawrinka, also,” said Djokovic who also has the Davis Cup final to consider on November 15.
“It’s not the first time I’m playing against him at this stage of a tournament. It’s not best of five, so we will not go the fifth set,” he joked in reference to their US Open epic.
“You know, whenever we play each other it’s long exchanges, you know, very tough match mentally, physically. But I’m ready for it.”
Wawrinka took another step towards booking his ticket for London when he comfortably defeated Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-3 6-2.
Seventh-ranked Wawrinka will join his Olympic doubles partner Federer for the season’s grande finale in the English capital, should either Frenchman Richard Gasquet or Milos Raonic of Canada lose their third round matches.
Ferrer showed little mercy against Frenchman Gilles Simon and by converting three of six break points, that was the difference as he stays in the hunt for a third ATP title this season following Auckland and Buenos Aires.
His defence continues on Friday with a potential last eight tie against sixth seed Thomas Berdych or Raonic.
Gasquet takes on Japanese world number 18 Kei Nishikori for the right to play world number one Rafael Nadal or last year’s surprise finalist Jerzy Janowicz of Poland in the last four.