Nalbandian stays on course

Defending champion David Nalbandian beat Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-1 5-7 6-4 to reach the final of the Paris Masters.

Argentinian close to booking place in Shanghai

Defending champion David Nalbandian beat Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-1 5-7 6-4 to reach the final of the Paris Masters. The Argentinian eighth seed - who ended Andy Murray's 14-match unbeaten run in the quarter-finals - was again in impressive form against another former champion. Nalbandian won the first nine points of the match and allowed the sixth seed just three points in coasting to a 5-0 lead. Davydenko finally held his serve in the sixth game but then missed three break points in the next before as Nalbandian took the set in just 28 minutes. Nalbandian broke early to lead 2-1 in the second set, but the Russian immediately broke back, then after the next seven games went with serve, Davydenko suddeenly upped his game and broke to love to level the match. The decider was touch-and-go until Nalbandian won the longest rally of the match to go 30-0 up on Davydenko's serve at 3-3, and went on to break. He then served out twice without alarm to take his place in Sunday's final. If he beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in Sunday's final, Nalbandian will book his place to the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai. The 11th -seed beat James Blake 6-4 6-3 in the other semi-final.