Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on course for Paris Masters semi-final clash

Novak Djokovic set a new personal record as he remained on track for a semi-final showdown with Roger Federer at the Rolex Paris Masters.

The Number two seed extended his winning streak to 30 consecutive sets and booked his quarter-final spot when opponent Damir Dzumhur was forced to retire with the Serbian leading 6-1 2-1.

Djokovic, who will return to number one in the world rankings on November 5 following Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the tournament because of an abdominal injury, has now won 20 tour-level matches in a row for the sixth time in his career.

He told www.atpworldtour.com: “Reflecting on what I’ve been through in the past year, it’s quite a phenomenal achievement. Of course, I’m very, very happy and proud about it.

“I always believe in myself, but it was highly improbable (five months ago) considering my ranking and the way I played and felt on the court.”

Djokovic will next meet Croatia’s Marin Cilic, a 7-6(5) 6-4 winner over Grigor Dimitrov, with third seed Federer on course to face him in the semi-finals after his 6-4 6-3 victory against Fabio Fognini.

Federer, who is looking to complete a century of tour titles, said: “I think both of us were far from our best, but we fought with what we had and at the end I think I maybe served a bit better in the important moments than Fabio did.”

Federer will meet Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the last eight after his 6-4 6-4 victory over Kevin Anderson.

Alexander Zverev eased into the quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-2 win over Diego Schwartzman, and will now play Russia’s Karen Khachanov, who needed three sets to see off John Isner 6-4 6-7(9) 7-6(8).

Austrian Dominic Thiem had to come from behind to beat Borna Coric 6-7(3) 6-2 7-5 and his reward is a last-eight meeting with America’s Jack Sock, a 6-0 6-4 winner over Malek Jaziri.