Defending champion David Ferrer upset World No.1 Rafael Nadal on Saturday to reach the Paris Masters final where he will meet Novak Djokovic who eliminated Roger Federer.
Ferrer, 31, who won his only Masters title last year in the French capital, dominated his fellow Spaniard 6-3 7-5 to set up the championship decider against Serbia’s Djokovic who came back to win 4-6 6-3,6-2 against the 2011 Paris champion.
Nadal was bidding to become the first player since Andre Agassi in 1999 to win both the French Open and Paris Masters in the same season but again came up short at a tournament he last played in 2009.
Nadal hit an uncharacteristic 25 unforced errors and converted just one break point in seven attempts as Ferrer defeated his rival for only the fifth time in 21 meetings.
The world number four received plenty of support from the Paris crowd and carved out the decisive break to go 6-5 in the second set before serving out for the match.
Djokovic extended his winning streak to 16 matches as he came back from a set down to defeat Federer and stay on track to reclaim the No.1 spot from Nadal.
The six-time grand slam winner, who last suffered defeat in the US Open final against Nadal, overcame an inspired Federer 4-6 6-3 6-2 in just over two hours.
The 26-year-old Belgrade native had to reach the final to have a chance of snatching back top spot from Nadal at next week’s World Tour Finals in London.
“Every time we play it’s a great match, challenging and intense,” said Djokovic.
“He was better than me in the first set and it wasn’t easy. I just had to stay confident and focussed and wait for my chances. I was serving well and just kept patient and in the end it paid off.”
Federer, whose only title this season was on grass at Halle, admitted he was beaten by the better man.
“I think it was a tough match in quick conditions. I think I started well, and I was able to keep it up for some time,” said the 17-time grand slam winner.
“I had my chances, second and third set. Disappointed right now, but overall it was a good week for me.”
