Murray one win away from world number one

Britain’s Andy Murray is one win from becoming world number one following Novak Djokovic’s surprise defeat by Marin Cilic at the Paris Masters.

Djokovic needed to reach the final to retain the top ranking but lost 6-4 7-6 (7-2) to Cilic in the quarter-finals.

Second seed Murray beat Czech Tomas Berdych 7-6 (11-9) 7-5 and will play France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Canadian Milos Raonic in Saturday’s semi-final.

Victory would see the Scot top the rankings for the first time.

Djokovic took to the court first and duly crashed out in straight sets to Cilic, opening the door for Murray to snatch the world number one ranking and end the Serb’s two-year stranglehold at the top.

Djokovic, who was chasing a fifth title in Paris, suffered his first defeat to the big-serving Croat in 15 matches.

The defeat means Djokovic’s reign at the summit – stretching back to July 2014 – is now just one match from ending.

Djokovic, who needed to reach the final to guarantee keeping Murray at bay, saved two match points at 6-5 in the second set, the latter with a superb forehand cross court, but was soon facing a losing battle in the tiebreak.

Cilic, who clinched his spot in the World Tour Finals on Thursday, raced into a 5-2 lead before a huge serve set up four more match points.

He was soon celebrating after swiping away a mid-court forehand to claim victory in one hour 45 minutes.

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