Tennis: Djokovic loses in Paris quarters, Murray has shot at No 1

PARIS — Five months after his first French Open title and completing a career Grand Slam in Paris, Novak Djokovic’s reign over men’s tennis could be about to end in the City of Lights.

Djokovic, a three-time defending champion, lost in the Paris Masters quarterfinals on Friday, leaving his No. 1 ranking open to being snatched by Andy Murray.

The British player can rise from No. 2 to 1 in the ATP list for the first time if he reaches the final. He needs one more win after beating No. 11 Tomas Berdych 7-6 (9), 7-5. His semifinal opponent will be Milos Raonic or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Murray was aware of Djokovic’s defeat when he took the court and was sometimes hesitant against Berdych. He rallied from 6-1 down in the tiebreak, and needed four match points to overcome the Czech.

“Before the match there were a few more nerves maybe than there was earlier in the week,” Murray said. “But once I got out there, I didn’t feel any different to any other match. I didn’t play the match differently to how I would have played other matches, which is good. Tomorrow will probably be the same, probably.”

So dominant on the Parisian red clay last June, Djokovic was far from his best on super-fast carpet and was beaten by Marin Cilic 6-4, 7-6 (2), his first loss against the former U.S. Open champion in 15 matchups.

Djokovic made uncharacteristic mistakes from the baseline, called the tournament doctor during the first set, struggled with consistency on his serve, and destroyed his hopes of a comeback when he served for the second set at 5-4, hit two double faults, and was broken.

He fought until the end though, saving two match points in the 12th game, but it was not enough.