Paris Masters 2019: Novak Djokovic downs Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to reach semi-finals, will face Grigor Dimitrov

Paris: Novak Djokovic produced a magnificent performance to thrash seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-1, 6-2 and reach the Paris Masters semi-finals on Friday. The 32-year-old, battling Rafael Nadal for the year-end world number one spot, will face Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the final after dispatching Greek star Tsitsipas in only 58 minutes. [caption id=“attachment_7577481” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Novak Djokovic. AP[/caption] The world number one went into the match with a 2-1 losing record against Tsitsipas, but put the youngster in his place with a commanding victory. Djokovic will be usurped by Nadal at the top of the rankings next week, but can ensure the fight to be the best player at the end of the year reaches the ATP Tour Finals in London by winning a record-extending fifth title at Bercy. The crushing defeat ended Tsitsipas’ run of three consecutive semi-finals and dealt a blow to his confidence ahead of his maiden appearance at the season-ending championships, which start on 10 November. Djokovic holds an 8-1 winning head-to-head record against Dimitrov, who saw off unseeded Chilean Cristian Garin 6-2, 7-5 earlier in the day. The Serbian is bidding to tie Pete Sampras’ record of finishing as the year-end number one on six occasions. Dimitrov beats Cristian Garin to reach last four Dimitrov saw off unseeded Chilean Garin 6-2, 7-5 to reach the semi-finals. Former world number three Dimitrov last reached the semis at a Masters tournament in Monte Carlo in 2018, but has rediscovered his form in recent weeks after heading into the US Open ranked 78th. The Bulgarian became the lowest-ranked player to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since 2008 at Flushing Meadows before losing to Daniil Medvedev. Dimitrov has now won three consecutive matches in straight sets at Bercy, where he had lost in the third round in each of the previous six years. World number 42 Garin, playing in his first Masters quarter-final, served for the second set at 5-4, but the 28-year-old Dimitrov reeled off three straight games to claim an impressive victory. He has only won one of nine previous meetings with world number one Djokovic, but has never played against Greek star Tsitsipas.