PARIS: Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak to 16 matches as he came back from a set down to defeat Roger Federer on Saturday and reach the final of the Paris Masters.

The six-time Grand Slam winner, who last suffered defeat in the US Open final against Rafael Nadal, overcame an inspired Federer before finally taking victory 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in just over two hours.

He now takes on either Nadal or David Ferrer in Sunday’s final at the Bercy arena, as well as keeping his chances alive of reclaiming the world No. 1 spot.

The 26-year-old Belgrade native had to reach the final in the French capital to have a chance of snatching back top spot from Nadal at next week’s World Tour Finals.

“Every time we play it’s a great match, challenging and intense,” said Djokovic.

“He was better than me in the first set and it wasn’t easy. I just had to stay confident and focussed and wait for my chances.

“I was serving well and just kept patient and in the end it paid off,” he added.

Federer took the first set in dramatic fashion when he saved four break points at 5-4 up before converting his second set point when the Serb overhit a backhand that flew out the back of the court.

The decisive moment of that opening set came as early as the third game, when Federer broke to go 2-1 up with a deft drop shot that Djokovic chased down only to stab the ball into the net.

It was only the second time in 36 service games since the tournament began that the Australian Open champion had been broken.

Federer endured some tense moments as the set followed serve but the Swiss maestro, who was meeting Djokovic for the first time since the World Tour Finals last year in London, saved all four break points against him before finally claiming the opening set 6-4 in 46 minutes.

It got worse for Djokovic as he was broken again to open the second set when Federer found the line with a passing shot but then he importantly hit back to take Federer’s serve for the first time in the match to level at 1-1.

Djokovic was gaining in momentum and got the break he needed to win the second set when Federer planted a routine volley into the net to go 2-4 down.

The 2009 Paris champion then held comfortably in his next two service games to close out the set 6-3 and level the match.

An expected tight final set developed into a one-sided affair as Djokovic grew in strength and broke twice to take the match as he moved closer to a sixth title of the season.

Nadal drawn with Ferrer, Djokovic with Federer for Finals

Meantime, world No. 1 Rafael Nadal will face compatriot David Ferrer at next week’s ATP World Tour Finals in London, with last year’s champion Novak Djokovic and runner-up Roger Federer drawn in the second group on Saturday.

Nadal, featuring for the sixth time but seeking a maiden title at the season-ending event, will also play against seventh-ranked Czech Tomas Berdych and eighth-ranked Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in Group A.

Ferrer, whom Nadal was facing on Saturday in the Paris Masters semi-finals, is currently world number three.

Title holder Djokovic, who beat Federer last year at London’s O2 Arena to claim his second Tour Finals crown, was drawn in Group B along with fifth-ranked Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro and ninth-ranked Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

Six-time champion Federer, ranked sixth, will feature for the 12th consecutive year at the event where the only big name missing will be Briton Andy Murray, who is recovering from back surgery.

The same eight players were involved in this week’s Paris Masters quarterfinals.

The winner of each group will face the runner-up in the other section in the semifinals.