Djokovic into Paris semifinals with 21st straight win

Paris, France: Novak Djokovic reached the Paris Masters semi-finals on Friday after recovering from a break down in the final set to defeat Marin Cilic 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 and rack up his 21st consecutive win.

Djokovic, who will take over from Rafael Nadal as world number one on Monday, will face either Roger Federer, chasing a 100th career title, or Kei Nishikori for a place in the final.

Four-time Paris champion Djokovic, who went into Friday's quarter-final with a 15-2 record over Cilic, had three break points in the opening set but the Croatian held firm.

Cilic wrapped up the opener in the 10th game, ending Djokovic's 30-set win streak in the process.

However, the 14-time major winner roared back, breaking twice in the second set to level the contest.

Cilic, who defeated Djokovic in the final at Queen's Club in the summer, was a break ahead for a 2-1 lead in the decider.

But Djokovic fought back again, retrieving the break in the next game and breaking again in the eighth to lay the foundation for victory.

Saturday's other semi-final will feature Austrian sixth seed Dominic Thiem against unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov who knocked out fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev.