The Serb, who has won three of the four Grand Slam titles and five of the eight Masters 1000 series titles so far contested this year, even allowed himself the luxury of dropping serve five times against the wily Frenchman.
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Andy Murray is looking to learn from past experience ahead of his Paribas Masters final meeting with world number one Novak Djokovic on Sunday. Nadal saved a match point in the second set tie-breaker against South African Kevin Anderson before prevailing 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-2.
“I got the break back at the beginning of the third set but his shot-making was exceptional at times”, the world No 3 told Sky Sports 3 HD. Djokovic, however, will need to raise his game if he is to win a fourth title here as his possible final opponent, Murray, looked in ominous form. The Swiss agreed Isner served superbly on the big points.
Chasing his 10th title of a brilliant season, the top-ranked Serb will face No. 4 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, who beat No. 7 Rafael Nadal of Spain, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (7). He had set point in the first set, as well.
Murray sealed his place in the Paris decider for the first time in his career after accounting for David Ferrer 6-4 6-3 in Saturday’s first semi-final.
The tournament brought together 11 of the top players who did not qualify for last week’s WTA Finals at Singapore including Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic and Roberta Vinci. “I think at periods of today’s match, I also played extremely well”.
Roger Federer fell at the 3,288,530 euros ATP Paris Masters, beaten 7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-6 (5) by big-serving American John Isner, while retired Japanese Kei Nishikori came out the sole other higher seeded player failing to make quarterfinals on Thursday.
“It was a tough match, the crowd was right behind him but that’s flawless preparation for the Davis Cup to play in an atmosphere like that”. “I feel pretty good and my legs feel fine, but the accumulation of matches and playing five days in a row can take a little bit out of you physically and mentally”, the Scot admitted.
Murray’s second double fault gave Goffin a way back into the next game but a netted backhand return by the 24-year-old on a Murray second serve and then an ace put the Scot on the verge of a 4-0 lead.
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Murray raised his game in the second set after dropping his serve early on.
