2013 PARIS MASTERS: Djokovic Beat Federer, Ferrer Beats Nadal!

The finals of the 2013 ATP Paris Masters are now set: David Ferrer will try to defend his first Masters series shield against World #2 Novak Djokovic. Ferrer defeated his countryman Rafael Nadal for only the 5th time in 25 meetings, in straight sets no less (6-3 7-5) in one semifinal, while the other semifinal was the 30th encounter between Djokovic and Roger Federer. Federer was up a set and a break when Djokovic raised the level of his play and the Swiss Great did not appear to have access to a higher gear to match the Serb. Djokovic won 12 of the last 15 games of the match, 4-6 6-3 6-2. Federer now lead their rivalry slightly 16-14.

Bizarrely, Federer will face Djokovic and Ferrer will face Nadal in their very first round-robin matches on Tuesday when the year-end championships at the ATP World Tour Finals start in London on Tuesday. Federer, Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro and Richard Gasquet are in one group with Nadal, Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Stanislas Wawrinka in the other.

If Djokovic wins the Paris Masters and defends his 2012 ATP Year-End Championship and Nadal failes to win a round-robin match there then the Serb will be #1 for 2013, which is a very unlikely result. Nadal deserves to end 2013 with his 71-6 record for the year and 10 titles, including two majors (2013 French Open and 2013 US Open).

Djokovic leads Ferrer 10-5 in their overall head-to-head and is playing some of his best tennis all year, having won 16 matches in a row since losing the final of the US  Open to Nadal in September.

MadProfessah's prediction: Djokovic