FIVE-TIME champion Novak Djokovic became the first player to reach the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals after an extraordinary defeat of Milos Raonic in straight sets at The O2 Arena in London on Tuesday.

    Djokovic prevailed via tie-breaks in the first and second sets to win 7-6, 7-6 and march into the knock-out phase as the winner of the Ivan Lendl group as he continues to hunt down world number one Andy Murray. Djokovic was twice a break up in the second set but Raonic stormed back into the contest, but at set point missed the chance to force a decider.

    The 29-year-old Serb’s recent malaise has cost him the world number one ranking he held for 122 weeks but when backed into a corner by an inspired Raonic, he responded in the belligerent manner that has earned him 12 Grand Slam titles.

    World number four Raonic threw the kitchen sink at the elastic-limbed Serb for two hours and 14 minutes, striking 42 winners and 14 aces but Djokovic, aiming for a fifth consecutive title at the year-ender, was equal to everything — just.

    Having edged a high-intensity first-set when Raonic double-faulted on set point in a tense tiebreak, Djokovic looked to have broken the shackles in the second to lead 4-2.

    Raonic, who dialed up his mighty serve to speeds of 140mph, stormed back to rock Djokovic on his heels and came within a missed forehand of extending the match into a decider.

    But Djokovic produced a magical backhand flick at 5-5 in the night’s second tiebreak, then an ace, before Raonic succumbed to an eighth successive defeat at the hands of the Serb when his backhand flew wide.

    With two wins in the bag Djokovic, whose form has tailed off since winning the French Open in June, is now assured of a semifinal spot although with 200 ranking points up for grabs in his final group match against Gael Monfils he will not be letting up.

    (SD-Agencies)