Raonic, Djokovic progress to Paris Masters final

MilosRaonic

Canadian Raonic came through a lengthy encounter with Tomas Berdych 6-3 3-6 7-5, while world number one Djokovic was a 6-2 6-3 winner against Japan's Kei Nishikori.

Djokovic has never lost to Raonic in three previous meetings, but the 23-year-old is in fine form after edging Roger Federer in the French capital on Friday to ensure a place at the ATP Tour Finals.

And he continued his impressive streak a day later by booking his second Masters 1000 final appearance.

Taking on Berdych - who also ensured his place at the end-of-season showpiece in London on Friday - Raonic came out on top in the first major battle of the match as he won through a 25-shot encounter in the fourth game to break.

However, the fifth seed hit back in the second to level only for the big-serving Raonic to come through in the third.

Berdych's four double-faults in the final set did nothing to help his cause as Raonic ensured himself a shot at a trophy before heading to London, explaining afterwards he did not want to ease off following qualification on Friday.

"There was a lot of motivation from wanting to make London and I didn't want to have any type of a let-down today," he told Sky Sports.

"I knew I'd made it last night and I didn't want there to be any doubt in my mind about a let-down. So I put even more pressure on myself to make sure that the mental and physical energy was there, to really push myself."

Defending champion Djokovic boosted his hopes of ending the year as world number on after easing to a comfortable win against Nishikori.

The Japanese became the first Asian player to qualify for the season-ending finals on Friday but, eager to avenge his defeat to Nishikori at the US Open earlier this year, Djokovic moved ahead with the help of two breaks of serve in the first set.

The top seed was rarely troubled in the second either, as he moved within a match of his third Paris Masters title.

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