PARIS: Novak Djokovic boosted his chances of finishing the season as world number one when he became the first player to retain his Paris Masters title with a 6-2, 6-3 win over big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the final on Sunday.

The top seeded Serb, who did not drop a set in Bercy to clinch his third title here, perfectly read the seventh-seeded Raonic’s serve to prevail in a one-sided encounter.

His 600th career win extended Djokovic’s unbeaten indoors run to 27 and gave him his 20th Masters title while Raonic, who will have to do more than serve big if to climb up the ladder, lost his second final at Masters level in as many attempts.

Both players will be taking part in the ATP World Tour Finals from Nov 9-16 in London, where Djokovic will be favourite to secure the world number one spot for 2014 after he more than doubled his lead over second-ranked Roger Federer.

If he plays at the O2 like he has been playing in Paris, he will finish the year on top of the world rankings for the third time.

The 23-year-old Raonic, who has never beaten Djokovic in their four meetings, appeared apprehensive and could not convert his few openings.

Djokovic’s only scare came in the first set when Raonic won eight straight points but failed to convert three consecutive break opportunities and the Serb comfortably defended the crown he won last year, when he defeated David Ferrer, and where he recorded his maiden title in the French capital in 2009.

In Saturday’s semi-finals, Djokovic saw off Japanese Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-3 while Raonic edged Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in a clash that had looked destined for a deciding tie-break.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2014