Andy Murray two wins from claiming world No 1 spot after Novak Djokovic faced another defeat in Paris Masters quarter-finals

Andy Murray was left with the world number one position in tantalising reach after Novak Djokovic fell to another upset defeat.

The 29 year-old Serb was beaten 6-4 7-6 by Croatia’s Marin Cilic in the quarter final of the Paris Masters, meaning that Murray needs only to reach Sunday’s final to reach the rankings pinnacle for the first time.

Murray is due to play Czech Tomas Berdych for a place in the semi-finals on Friday night – at 6.45pm UK time – knowing that one of his career dreams is now within touching distance. Should he beat Berdych then he would face either Milos Raonic or Jo Wilfried Tsonga tomorrow.

Novak Djokovic has lost in the final of the Paris Masters, which gives a boost to Andy Murray

That Djokovic should be beaten by Cilic tells both of his frail form and the Croatian’s current level of confidence, which has seen him take the seventh spot in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

He had lost all previous fourteen matches against the Serb, but was infused with far more belief this time.

Djokovic was given a painkiller in the first set, and early in the second set was visibly flexing his forearm and sometimes shaking it, as if to try and loosen up.

He hit the ball shorter in the court than usual, and Cilic was finally able to take advantage, although only after he had been broken for 4-5 in the second. He immediately broke back for 5-5 and then had two match points at 6-5, which were saved with exemplary calm by the serve.

But Cilic then sped ahead for 4-1 in the tiebreak and then took his first match point at 6-2 with a piercing forehand. For Djokovic this was a first defeat at the Paris Masters since 2012, following on from his semi-final defeat in the Shanghai Masters, which was won by Murray.