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Summary Gilles Simon he cruised to a straight sets victory over Czech Tomas Berdych.
Gilles Simon became the first player to book his spot in the semi-finals of the Paris Masters as he cruised to a straight sets victory over Czech Tomas Berdych.The French world No.18 delighted his home crowd with a 6-4 6-4 victory in one hour and 51 minutes.However, the fifth-seeded Berdych will rue his missed opportunity to take the match into a deciding set - having led 4-1 in the second.But Simon reeled off five games in a row, breaking twice and then saving three break points from 0-40 in what turned out to be the final game of the match.Although Berdych fired down five of the contests seven aces, he was only able to convert one of 10 break point opportunities.It was Simons fifth win in seven meetings with Berdych, who now heads to London for next weeks ATP World Tour finals at the O2 Arena.Simon, who has never won a Masters Series event, has taken advantage of top seed Roger Federers withdrawal at the top end of the draw.
