REUTERS

Novak Djokovic overcame a first-set wobble to beat Serbian countryman Viktor Troicki and reach the Paris Masters quarterfinals.

Paris – Novak Djokovic overcame a first-set wobble to beat Serbian countryman Viktor Troicki and reach the Paris Masters quarter-finals on Thursday, after Andy Murray blitzed Andy Roddick.

Djokovic, the world No 1, was broken twice in the first set at Bercy Arena and folded on Troicki's first set point when he drove a backhand into the net.

The top seed went 2-0 up in the second set, only for Troicki to level, but Djokovic broke again to go 4-2 ahead with a cross-court backhand winner before levelling the match.

Troicki had lost his last nine encounters with Djokovic and the 15th seed's resistance broke apart in the third set, enabling the 2009 champion here to complete a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win.

Djokovic will play either French sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Italy's Andreas Seppi for a place in the semifinals.

In-form Murray made it 18 games unbeaten by beating Roddick 6-2, 6-2 to reach the last eight.

Murray had spoken of the importance of “getting inside” Roddick's mighty serve and he broke the American in the opening game, before securing a second break with a stinging cross-court forehand to go 5-2 up.

A similar stroke brought him the set and Roddick wilted in the second set, smashing his racquet into the ground at one stage, as his opponent closed out a straightforward 62-minute victory.

“I started the match well, which is always important against Roddick because he plays his best when he's ahead and can put pressure on you,” said the Scot.

“As I broke him early on, I was able to dictate what happened and I played very well.”

Murray, the second seed, will now face Czech fifth seed and 2005 champion Tomas Berdych, who beat 11th-seeded Serbian Janko Tipsarevic in straight sets.

Tipsarevic's defeat means the line-up for the year-end ATP Tour Finals in London has now been finalised, with Berdych, Tsonga and Mardy Fish claiming the three places that were up for grabs at the start of the tournament.

Third seed Roger Federer – who has never reached the final at this event – takes on France's Richard Gasquet, the number 16 seed, later on Thursday. – Sapa-AFP