Novak Djokovic blasts past David Goffin to make it three wins from three

The world number two had already qualified for the last four as the winner of Ivan Lendl group, but with ranking points at stake in his bid to end 2016 back on top, the Serbian kept his foot on the gas to ease to a 6-1 6-2 success in just one hour and 10 minutes.

Goffin was making his first appearance at this tournament as an alternate in place of the injured Gael Monfils and he rarely looked capable of troubling the defending champion in a one-sided affair, which he admitted had caught him slightly off-guard.

"Yesterday I was feeling a bit like I was on holiday," Goffin said. "All of a sudden someone tells you that you have to play in front of 15,000 people against Novak."

Djokovic broke courtesy of a double fault in the fourth game and quickly snared another break before serving out the opener in 37 minutes for the loss of just one game. The Serb had managed just three winners with a first serve percentage of 54 but the only concern was a harsh time violation in the fifth game.

Goffin did manage to start the second set on the front foot but the Djoker rattled off five games in quick succession to leave the Belgian wishing he hadn't been handed this opportunity.

Djokovic did face his first break point while serving it out, but quickly recovered to clinch it on his second match point to make it 21 wins from his last 22 encounters at this competition.

The world number two can now look forward to a rest day ahead of a semi-final showdown on Saturday against the runner up in John McEnroe group.

It was far from vintage Djokovic but he is now just two matches away from what would be a record-equalling sixth title at this tournament and the year-end world number one status, and the Serb baulked at suggestions that it would be a "surprise" for him to win the tournament.

"I guess I do not have the same perception of surprise as you do," Djokovic said. "To me it wouldn't be a surprise."