Federer crashes out of Paris Masters

Roger Federer’s hopes of knocking Novak Djokovic off the top of the ATP world rankings before the end of the year took a hit when he lost to big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the Paris Masters quarter-finals.

The Swiss second-seed was beaten 7-6, 7-5 and Djokovic later saw off Britain’s Andy Murray 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the semi-finals of a tournament he won last year.

Federer had narrowed the points gap on Djokovic in recent weeks but defeat in Bercy halted his charge, while Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Raonic completed the line-up for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals which will be played in London from November 9.

All is not lost for Federer, however, as the Swiss is able to boost his points tally in the Davis Cup final against France.

Seventh-seed Raonic, who qualified for London after Nishikori beat Spanish fourth seed Ferrer 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 to become the first Asian singles player to qualify for the season-ending showpiece, served 21 aces to beat Federer for the first time in seven attempts.

Raonic will face Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals after the Czech booked his place in London with a 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory over South African Kevin Anderson.

Djokovic, who edged a close first set against Murray before running through the second, will take on sixth seed Nishikori.