Novak Djokovic edged out Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 3-6 7-6(4) to reach his eighth Paris Rolex Masters final.
The Serb won his eighth straight match against Tsitsipas in a thrilling contest that lasted just over two hours.
Djokovic started the match in relentless form as he cruised to the opening set with Tsitsipas offering very little on return.
It looked likely that Djokovic was going to dominate the match and cruise towards the final but Tsitsipas had other ideas in the second set.
The six-time champion saw his level drop and that allowed Tsitsipas back into the match as he broke for a crucial 3-2 lead.
Tsitsipas, motivated by the Parisian crowd, stormed to another break of serve towards the end of the set as he levelled the match at one set all.
That set up the third set wonderfully with both players on the top of the game with Tsitsipas coming out on top in some gruelling rallies.
To Djokovic’s frustration, neither player could break down the other’s serve with this epic match-up being sealed by a final set tiebreak.
It looked like it was going to be Tsitsipas’ day as he sealed the mini-break for a 4-3 lead.
However it was the former world number one who prevailed as some clutch tennis saw him win four points in a row and a place in the final.
After the match Djokovic admitted this victory tasted sweet, “It’s very sweet, obviously, when you win matches like this against one of the best players in the world,” the Serb told the ATP website.
“I thought I started the match very well, again, great hitting like yesterday in the quarters. I had chances early on in the second [twice at 30/30], I didn’t break his serve. The momentum shifted, the crowd got into it. I think he elevated his level of tennis.
“Deservedly so, we went into — both of us — into an even battle all the way until the last point, until the last shot. Some incredible points towards the end. I’m just really glad to overcome this challenge.”
Djokovic will now look to win a fifth title in 2022 and seventh title in Paris when he faces in-form Holger Rune in the final.
Meanwhile Tsitsipas heads to the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin with a slim chance of being the end of year world number one.
