By Bill Scott Nov 15, 2008, 12:59 GMT
Shanghai - Novak Djokovic survived 55 unforced errors and missed 11 break points but scratched out a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Gilles Simon on Saturday to move into the final of the Masters Cup.
Djokovic took treatment in the third set for a left calf muscle pull as he denied the dream of year-end debutant Simon, who claimed the last of the spots in the eight-man field when Rafael Nadal withdrew.
'It's the Masters Cup, best eight players in the world this year are here, it's a huge success for me to reach the final,' said the Serb.
'My injury is nothing too serious. It was just cramping because of a lot of running and a lot of rallies we had. So I just had to treat it a little bit in order to end up the match.'
The world number three will await an opponent from Andy Murray and Nikolay Davydenko.
The Scot was hoping for a recovery after spending three hours of drama in defeating Roger Federer 24 hours earlier while Davydenko was relatively rested for his bid at a first year-end final.
France's Simon brought a 1-0 head-to-head over Djokovic onto the court after defeating him in the Marseille second round in February.
But the rookie was unable to impose his game on the Australian Open holder after winning the first set in the contest which lasted a shade under three hours.
'This match was so long, and he was very aggressive - more than me,' said Simon. 'He was a little bit lucky sometimes, touching many lines, and finally he won the match.
'When you play three hours like this, you have so many opportunities to win. That's why it's very hard to lose.'
Djokovic has capped a remarkable turnaround from a year ago in Shanghai when he lost all three of his group matches to return a broken man to Europe.
At this edition, he retains a chance to lift his first title since winning Rome over Swiss Stan Wawrinka in May.
'To be in the final is something special. Every player has a motive more to do well and to win the title.
'I haven't won a title for a long time, so I would like to end up my season in a good way.'
Simon, with three titles in a breakthrough 2008, fought back in the 10th game of the final set to recover a break from Djokovic.
But the Serb seed returned the favour for 6-5 as nerves got the better of the French youngster, with Djokovic wrapping up the hard-fought victory a game later with a drop volley winner.
'My goal for next year is to stay in the top 10 and to play better in the Slams, I lost every time in the third round this year,' said Simon.
'I really want to play some semi-finals, finals, because every time I play on the center court, like this, I play my best tennis.'
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