“I think the level during the first set was extremely good”, Murray said.
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“Credit to Stan for playing a great second set and coming back, winning five games in a row, serving more accurately, playing more powerful from the baseline”, Djokovic said.
Murray will be guaranteed finishing the year second in the ATP rankings for the first time if he wins the title.
The win over Wawrinka was sweet revenge for world number one Djokovic who lost the French Open final to the Swiss star on the other side of Paris in June.
David Ferrer of Spain celebrates after making a point against John Isner of the US during their quarterfinal match of the BNP Masters tennis tournament at the Paris Bercy Arena, in Paris, France, Friday, November 6, 2015.
The Frenchman, whose best showing in Paris Masters was a run into the semi-finals in 2007, said that Murray would present the toughest of challenges.
Wawrinka was the only man to defeat the world number one in a grand-slam event this year, in the French Open final at Roland Garros five months ago. But when Murray netted a backhand of his own he needed another ace, down the centre line, to make it a fourth straight game in the set. “I just took a few antiinflammatories, and I played with no pain in the third”.
Ferrer had his second chance to put away the tie and this time he made no mistake winning 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-2.
Wawrinka also had to battle hard to knock out Nadal, ending a tense encounter with a superb forehand pass after saving two set points in the second set. “I think in terms of physical and mental ability, I have reached my peak”. “It was a little bit stiff when I got up this morning, so I spent a couple of hours with my physio, and that helped”.
It was Gasquet though who looked the stronger and a sloppy game from a frustrated looking Murray gave Gasquet a break to lead 4-2.
Federer was shocked to find himself leaving for home without once having dropped his serve as Isner typically won on two tie-breaks, hammering down 27 aces in the process.
Murray was again on top of his game from the start, racing to three break points in the opening game before securing the break at the second attempt – a pattern he has repeated throughout the tournament. With him it’s whether he can serve big whenever he needs it most.
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He will face Murray in Sunday’s final after the Briton defeated David Ferrer in straight sets earlier in the day.
