The British second seed lost his focus at times but eventually had more in store than the 2012 Bercy champion to set up a showdwon with either world number one Novak Djokovic or French Open champion Stan Wawrinka.
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In a frantic day of action, Berdych left the indoor arena to warm applause but with regrets, missing a set point at 6-5 on Djokovic’s serve – his only break point of the first set.
“This is a tournament I’ve struggled at in the past”.
Andy Murray beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet to reach his first Paris Masters semi-final on Friday. Djokovic has beaten Murray on five of his last six occasions but will be prepared for a stern test with Murray playing high quality attacking tennis.
“It’s always a special kind of challenge because we have the rivalry that goes back for a long time”, said Djokovic. “We push each other to the limit, and I don’t expect anything less”. Djokovic was the much fresher of the two in this instance as Wawrinka had to get through a gruelling match against Rafael Nadal in the previous round and looked a little lethargic in the opening set.
“I have no regrets, I gave everything”, Wawrinka said. “I thought he did very well”. “I do appreciate that. I think that was strengthened even more after the Roland Garros final”.
The deciding set again saw serves on top with Federer failing to convert a rare break point at 3-3.
A love service game for Djokovic to start the third set, however, reversed the momentum and Wawrinka visibly wilted allowing the Serb to power into the final for the third straight year. And with Djokovic a hot favourite, is there any way for the world number one to lose?
Nadal’s match was also a battle.
“I think the level during the first set was extremely good”, Murray said. “Of course Andy played unbelievable today, and I hope he won’t play like this in Belgium, but it will be a completely different match”. “I managed to shorten a lot of the points”. “There was a few variety in there with the way the points finished”.
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.
He was nevertheless generous in praising Isner, who saved a break point in the fifth game of the third set with a clean backhand volley.
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But again, he could not punish Murray, who sealed victory when Ferrer’s attempted drop shot hit the net.
