Djokovic loses in Paris quarters, Murray has shot at No 1
PARIS — Novak Djokovic’s reign over men’s tennis could be about to end in the City of Lights, and Canada’s Milos Raonic stands in the way of Andy Murray’s possible rise to that No. 1 ranking.
Djokovic, a three-time defending champion, lost in the Paris Masters quarterfinals on Friday, leaving his No. 1 ranking open for Murray.
The British player can rise from No. 2 to 1 in the ATP list for the first time if he reaches the final. He needs one more win after beating Tomas Berdych 7-6 (9), 7-5. His semifinal opponent will be the No. 5 Raonic, who defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 7-6 (4).
Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., used his big serve to his advantage, firing nine aces to Tsonga’s two, including six in the second set. Raonic also won 80 per cent of his first-serve points and 71 per cent on second serve.