PARIS, Nov. 1-- To-be ATP world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Swiss legend Roger Federer advanced to the quarterfinals at the 2018 ATP Paris Masters here on Thursday. Damir Dzumhur from Bosnia and Herzogovina pulled out in the second set due to lower back pains, when Djokovic was leading 6-1, 2-1. Djokovic is set to become world No. 1 for the first time in two years after Rafael Nadal withdrew due to an abdominal concern on Wednesday. Following Thursday's third-round win, the Serbian has extended his unbeaten streak to 20 matches. In the quarterfinals, Djokovic will face fifth-seeded Marin Cilic, who saw off Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (5), 6-4. Despite a 15-2 head-to-head record, Djokovic lost to Cilic in the same stage at the 2016 Paris Masters to cede his top position. Cilic needs to beat Djokovic on Friday for a guaranteed spot in the ATP Finals later this month in London. "It's going to be a tough one. Tough to receive his missiles. His first serves are really fast, and he uses a lot of rotation and variation with his serves. He can play very aggressively and also defend well," said Djokovic. In his first match at the tournament in three years, Federer embraced warm welcome from home crowds in the Bercy Arena. The Swiss veteran didn't let them down as he accounted for Fabio Fognini in straight sets. After two players held their serves in the first two games, Federer registered his first break throughout the match and built a 4-1 lead, seeing his Italian rival throw the racquet onto the court in discontent. |