Novak Djokovic showcased his resilience and determination as he overcame a fierce challenge from Andrey Rublev in the semi-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters. The World No. 1 fought through a grueling three-set match to secure a spot in the championship match where he will face Grigor Dimitrov.

In a thrilling encounter that lasted three hours and two minutes, Djokovic had to dig deep to claim victory. Rublev's exceptional level of play had the Serbian struggling to find his rhythm, but Djokovic managed to stay strong and secure a hard-fought win. Despite receiving treatment for his lower back between sets, Djokovic showed incredible determination in the decisive third set to clinch a 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 triumph.

Acknowledging Rublev's outstanding performance, Djokovic admitted, "I don't think I've ever faced Rublev this good." The victory not only propelled Djokovic into his ninth consecutive semi-final in Paris-Bercy but also brought him within one win of claiming a record-extending seventh title at the ATP Masters 1000.

In the final, Djokovic will square off against Grigor Dimitrov, who secured his place in the championship match with a hard-fought win over Stefanos Tstisipas. Dimitrov prevailed in a tight battle, winning 6-3, 6-7(1), 7-6(3). The clash between Djokovic and Dimitrov promises to be an exhilarating showdown between two formidable opponents.

Djokovic, who has been battling a stomach virus in recent days, expressed his pride in being able to overcome the challenges and continue his campaign in Paris. "Not giving up, fighting, and believing that I can come back, which happened again, and hopefully it can happen tomorrow," said the determined World No. 1.

With a victory in Sunday's final, Djokovic will secure his 40th Masters 1000 title, further solidifying his status as one of the all-time greats in the sport. Additionally, a win would extend his lead in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin, making it highly likely that he will claim the ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by Pepperstone honor for the eighth time.

On the other side, Andrey Rublev will now shift his focus to the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, where he aims to conclude a strong year on a high note. Rublev's impressive performances at Masters 1000 events this year have firmly established him as a force to be reckoned with in the tennis world.

As the stage is set for an enthralling final between Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov, tennis fans can anticipate a showdown filled with intensity, skill, and championship glory. The result of this highly anticipated clash will determine who emerges as the champion of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris.