Second-ranked Rafael Nadal pulled out of the semifinal match against Canada's Denis Shapovalov in Paris Masters 2019 on Saturday. This implies that the youngster will now face Novak Djokovic, who reached his sixth Paris Masters final with a 7-6 (5), 6-4 win Saturday against Grigor Dimitrov, beating him for the ninth time in their 10 career matches. The top-ranked Serb remains on course for a fifth title at Bercy Arena and faces hard-hitting Shapovalov in the final.
It was not immediately clear why Nadal had to pull out. "We saw something on the image, probably a small strain. It's a super sad moment for me, because I've been enjoying the whole tournament, playing well and having fun on court," said Nadal in the presser.
Djokovic and Dimitrov won more than 80% of first serve points in a tight opening set where neither faced a break point.
But when it mattered, Dimitrov cracked in the tiebreaker.
With Dimitrov 5-4 up and controlling the exchanges, a 32-stroke rally ended when he advanced to the net and tried an extravagant forehand volley to the left. He could have played an easier shot with a controlled backhand to the vacant right side of the court.
The ball landed out and Djokovic punched the air, roaring in relief.
Then, on set point, a 35-stroke rally ended when Dimitrov chopped a backhand long.
Djokovic broke him in the fifth game of the second set, the unseeded Bulgarian mis-hitting a forehand and sending it long.
Serving for the match, Djokovic held to love and clinched victory when Dimitrov sent a return wide at full stretch.
Djokovic won his first title here 10 years ago and then three straight from 2013-15. He lost his only final, last year, to Karen Khachanov.
Djokovic is bidding to finish the year as No. 1 for the sixth time, which would move him one ahead of Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors in a tie with all-time leader Pete Sampras. Nadal is looking to seal the year-end top ranking for the fifth time.
