Canada’s Milos Raonic upset world no. 2 Roger Federer 7-6(5), 7-5 to reach the Paris Masters semifinals on Friday, keeping alive his bid to reach the World Tour Finals.
It was the first victory for the big-serving Canadian against Federer in seven meetings, as he set up a last-four clash with Tomas Berdych.
Raonic needs to win the tournament to guarantee his place in the season-ending finale in London, while Federer suffered a blow in his bid to overtake Novak Djokovic in the race for the season-ending world No. 1 spot.
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“We’ve had some very close matches and some five-setters, and I think statistics do not tell the real story,” said Berdych. “It’s always tough against Kevin. I’m so happy and feel lucky to have made it.”
Berdych, who also reached the semifinals of the Miami Masters where he withdrew with a stomach bug before facing Rafael Nadal, is chasing an 11th ATP title, and third this year, after victories at Rotterdam and Stockholm.
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The players who have qualified for London are Novak Djokovic, Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic, Andy Murray and Berdych.
Bad day for Indians It was a bad day for the Indians as both Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna lost their doubles encounters. Paes and Wawrinka lost 6-3, 6-3 to the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, while Bopanna and Daniel Nestor fell 6-4, 7-6(3) to Marcin Matkowski and Jurgen Melzer in the quarterfinals.
The results:
Quarterfinals: Milos Raonic bt Roger Federer 7-6(5), 7-5; Tomas Berdych bt Kevin Anderson 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4.
Third round: Novak Djokovic bt Gael Monfils 6-3, 7-6(2); Roger Federer bt Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4.
Doubles: Quarterfinals: Bob & Mike Bryan bt Leander Paes & Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 6-3; Marcin Matkowski & Jurgen Melzer bt Rohan Bopanna & Daniel Nestor 6-4, 7-6(3).