Djokovic and Federer into Paris Masters quarter-finals

Novak Djokovic advanced to the Paris Masters quarter-finals when Damir Dzumhur retired trailing 6-1, 2-1 yesterday.

Dzumhur had a lengthy massage on his lower back late in the first set before continuing, but after a few more games, he stopped for good. Djokovic, who will reclaim the world’s No 1 ranking next week regardless of where he finishes, faces Marin Cilic in the quarter-finals.

“I’mobviouslyveryproud of the achievement,” said Djokovic, whose ranking slipped to No 22 in May as he struggled to shake off a persistent elbow problem. “Five months ago, if you told me that [I would be No 1 now], it was highly improbable at that time considering my ranking and the way I played and felt on the court.”

Although Djokovic leads Cilic 15-3 overall, Cilic won two of their past three matches – including two years ago in the Paris Masters quarter-finals.

“He has a big serve and big game from back of the court. It’s a very powerful style of tennis,” Djokovic said. “Tough to receive his missiles. His first serves are really, really fast, and he uses a lot of rotation and variation with his serve.”

The fifth-seeded Cilic beat ninth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Third seed Roger Federer defeated Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-3 as he chases a 100th career title, while Djokovic is aiming to win the Paris Masters for a recordextending fifth time.

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev beat Diego Schwartzman 6-4, 6-2 while defending champion Jack Sock needed less than one hour to beat lucky loser Malek Jaziri 6-0, 6-4 and next faces No 6 Dominic Thiem, who used 14 aces in seeing off No 11 Borna Coric 6-7 (3), 6-2, 7-5. l Defending champion Julia Goerges was two points down and two points from elimination in the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, but recovered to defeat Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-6 and claim her place in the semi-finals.

Anastasia Sevastova and Ashley Barty have also qualified for the last four.