The Brit broke in the first game of the match and also had Ferrer on the back foot in his second service game, but the resilient Spaniard dug deep to hold and then broke back to level at 3-3.
Advertisement
Big-serving American John Isner claimed a stunning win over world number three Roger Federer to reach the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters.
The American will play David Ferrer next for a spot in the final four.
Djokovic also extended his winning streak to 22 matches, and will be the favourite to win the season-ending ATP finals for the fourth straight time when that tournament starts in London on November 15.
Murray made the last four of the Paris indoors for the first time, but it needed a marathon effort to see off the last remaining Frenchman, Richard Gasquet.
A 6-2 6-4 victory for the world number one gave him his third successive trophy in Paris and earned him a 10th title of a season that just continues to get better. “After that it was a little bit up and down”, Murray said.
“As a result, I was able to serve bigger and more consistently than yesterday and earn more free points”.
Murray improved to an 11-6 FedEx ATP Head2Head record over Ferrer as he reeled off the final five games of the contest to prevail in one hour and 36 minutes and reach the final in Paris for the first time. The two players have come differently to this end and the prediction for this final is thus more open than in recent matches played between the Serb and the Scot. It is true that even before, and often, during this season Murray with a possible advantage over his opponent.
Berdych’s forehand let him down again on the next point, giving Djokovic a second match point.
The 10-time grand slam champion had his nose in front right from the off, breaking to love in the third game of the match as Murray found himself run ragged by a series of punishing groundstrokes.
“I had an issue in Basel already, so I just felt it coming”, said the 34-year-old legend.
Andy Murray eased into the next round after routing David Goffin 6-1, 6-0 in a prelude to the Davis Cup Final later this month.
“I have a very special relationship with Stan, like no other top player”, Djokovic said.
Ferrer fought back, returning Isner’s second serve into his feet for 5-5, then saving a set point with a forehand victor for 6-6.
Advertisement
The Scot converted five out of nine break points he fashioned, while Ferrer could only manage two out of eight. “Given how late I finished last night, and the battle I had against Nadal, it was exhausting”.
