Murray awaits Djokovic with Federer in wings

PARIS, Oct 31 (AFP): Andy Murray guaranteed his place at the World Tour Finals Thursday while Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer stayed neck and neck in their battle for world number one at the Paris Masters.

Djokovic overcame Frenchman Gael Monfils in the final match of the day with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) victory to become the eighth quarter-finalist.

The world number one now faces Murray in a repeat of their 2012 US Open final when the Scot won his first Grand Slam title.

Monfils lived up to his reputation as one of the most flamboyant players on the circuit with a combination of spectacular shots and pure power but Djokovic never wavered and closed out the match in 1hr 32 min.

"I managed to stay calm but I didn't serve well today," said Djokovic.

"The rest of my game was good and I knew I had to be patient but it's always difficult to play Gael in Paris with the home crowd and his powerful forehand."

Murray, 27, breezed to a 6-3, 6-3 third-round victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov to stay on course for a fourth tournament victory in just six weeks.

Murray joins Djokovic, Federer, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic in reaching the season-ending showpiece in London with David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Kei Nishikori in possession of the other three spots but not yet assured places.

Canada's Milos Raonic is the only player who can gatecrash the top eight but needs to win the Paris tournament to guarantee his place.

Federer kept the pressure on Djokovic in the race for the year-ending number one spot with a gritty 6-4, 6-4 victory over French world number 176 Lucas Pouille.