Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will be squaring off for the 47th time in their careers when they battle for a place in the Rolex Paris Masters final on Saturday.
Djokovic is leading the head-to-head series 24-22, including 3-0 in their last three contests dating back to the title match of the 2015 year-end championship. The two all-time greats have faced each other just once this season, with Djokovic triumphing 6-4, 6-4 to win the Cincinnati Masters for the first time.
Djokovic’s Cincinnati success was part of a seismic mid-year shift on the ATP Tour, as Federer and Rafael Nadal dominated the first half of 2018–seemingly on their way to a two-man race for the No. 1 ranking. Since the start of the grass-court swing, however, it was been all Djokovic. Buoyed by titles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, the Serb will regain the top spot from Nadal following this week’s festivities even if he loses to Federer.
Since falling to Marin Cilic in the Queen’s Club final, Djokovic is an incredible 30-1 in his last 31 matches. The 14-time major champion is 8-0 since the U.S. Open, with a title at the Shanghai Masters and victories this week over Joao Sousa, Damir Dzumhur (via second-set retirement), and Cilic.
A minor slump by Federer’s standards saw him lose to Kevin Anderson in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, to Djokovic in Cincinnati, to John Millman in the U.S. Open fourth round, and to Borna Coric in the Shanghai semis. Although the 37-year-old was rarely at his best last week in Basel, he still managed to capture a ninth title at his home tournament. Federer has maintained momentum in Paris with straight-set defeats of Fabio Fognini and Kei Nishikori after getting a walkover from Milos Raonic.
“I think for me it was really important to go through two sets and not get broken,” the No. 3 seed reflected after beating Nishikori 6-4, 6-4. “Winning straight sets is always nice. It saves energy for not only what is to come tomorrow or the following week, but for your career. That’s why you could be more successful if you win quick matches. I’ve done that well throughout my career and it was nice to get one again tonight.
“I want to play well,” Federer said of the upcoming semifinal against Djokovic. “I know he’s on a hot streak so I think it’s going to be tough. But nevertheless I think I’ve got nothing to lose. I also like this type of surface; I like playing indoors. Indoors has treated me very well, winning Rotterdam and Basel (this season). I think I’m ready to do something tomorrow.”
“I’m just pleased to be in the semis,” Djokovic assured. “I know I can play better. At times [against Cilic] I was playing really well; at times, not that great. So there are things that I have to obviously improve for the next one, and I’m looking forward to it.”
The soon-to-be world No. 1 should have an edge from the baseline against Federer, just as he does against everyone else these days. If his service return–which is the best in the game–can once again neutralize the Swiss’ serve, Djokovic may come out on top in what will likely be a more competitive contest than what transpired in Cincinnati.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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