Djokovic knocked out by Cilic in Paris, race for world number one spot still on for Murray

Novak Djokovic was dumped out of the Paris Masters in straight sets by Marin Cilic on Friday, opening the door for Andy Murray to end the Serb's two-year stranglehold on the world number one ranking.

Djokovic, chasing a fifth title in Paris, slumped to his first defeat by big-serving Croat Cilic in 15 matches as he went down 6-4 7-6(2). The defeat means Murray, who ousted Czech Tomas Berdych 7-6(9) 7-5, need only win his semi-final against Canadian Milos Raonic to bring to an end the Serb's reign as number one that started in July 2014.

"He definitely played better today and deserved to win. I wasn't at the level I could have been," said Djokovic. "I was in a good position to take the match into the third set but hit two double faults. In important moments I wasn't able to deliver."

Djokovic, who needed to reach the final to guarantee keeping Murray at bay, saved two match points at 6-5 in the second set, the latter with a superb forehand cross court, but was soon facing a losing battle in the tiebreak.

Cilic, who on Thursday clinched his spot in the World Tour Finals in London later this month, raced into a 5-2 lead before a huge serve set up four more match points. He was soon celebrating after swiping away a mid-court forehand to claim victory in one hour 45 minutes.

Asked about Murray replacing him as number one, Djokovic said: "He's definitely a player who deserves that. To see how he has raised his level in the last 12 months is quite extraordinary. "We have known each other since very, very early days.

We were I think 11 years old when we first played against each other -- much respect for what he has done."