PARIS (AP) — Novak Djokovic won his 16th straight match by rallying past Roger Federer 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday in the semifinals of the Paris Masters.
Djokovic next plays top-seeded Rafael Nadal or defending champion David Ferrer.
This was the 30th meeting between Djokovic and Federer but the first this year.
Djokovic struggled with his serve early in the match, making two straight double-faults to hand Federer a break point. Federer then used a backhand volley to convert for a 2-1 lead.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion saved four break points at 5-4 and took the first set when Djokovic hit a backhand return long.
Federer, who won the Paris Masters two years ago, then capitalized on an unforced error from Djokovic to break the Serb in the opening game of the second set.
But Djokovic immediately broke back before taking a 4-2 lead when Federer netted a routine forehand volley.
The second-seeded Serb had 11 winners in the second set, compared to five for Federer. He leveled the match when Federer sent a backhand return into the net.
The Australian Open champion broke Federer twice in the final set and clinched the victory with a forehand winner.
Djokovic still has a slim chance to finish the season ahead of No. 1 Nadal in the rankings.
Federer still leads 16-14 against Djokovic.
The two could meet again soon.
Djokovic, the defending champion, and last year's runner-up Federer have been placed in the same group at next week's ATP finals in London.
Djokovic also won the title in 2008, while Federer has won it a record six times.
The pair will be playing in a tough Group B that also includes in-form Juan Martin del Potro and Richard Gasquet.
Top-ranked Rafael Nadal was placed in Group A in Saturday's draw, alongside fellow Spaniard David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Stanislas Wawrinka.
The season-ending tournament has a round robin format, with the eight best players of the season divided into two groups of four. The top two finishers in each group reach the semifinals.
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