Novak Djokovic says his thrilling three-set epic with Roger Federer at the Paris Masters was “one of the best” between the pair.

In their 47th meeting, the Serb beat Federer 7-6 (8-6) 5-7 7-6 (7-3) to reach Sunday’s final.

Djokovic, who will return to world number one on Monday, will face Karen Khachanov after the Russian defeated Dominic Thiem.

“It was a spectacular match,” Djokovic told Sky Sports. “We went toe-to-toe.”

He added: “We’ve had some epic matches but clearly this is one of the best, in terms of the level of play.

“Along with the Wimbledon semi-final against Nadal, it’s surely the most exciting match this season.”

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The 31-year-old, now unbeaten in 22 matches, is a four-time winner of the Paris Masters. A win on Sunday will see him draw level with Spain’s Rafael Nadal on 33 career Masters titles.

Swiss third seed Federer, chasing his 100th career title, seemed to be back to his best in Saturday’s semi-final and looked stronger as the match wore on.

The 37-year-old spurned set point in the first set tie-break and could only watch as Djokovic took the early advantage, roaring with emotion following a one hour 14 minute epic.

But, with nothing separating the two in the second, Federer finally broke Djokovic to win the set and restore parity – the first service break of the match.

Federer hit several sublime backhand shots down the line in the deciding set but Djokovic’s serve was dominant, although the Serb grew frustrated as the set wore on, his opponent standing resolute.

The third set tie-break proved Federer’s undoing as he found himself unable to answer Djokovic, allowing the Serb to seal victory in three hours and two minutes.

“Novak is obviously on a roll. You can feel it. At the end it came down to a few things here and there,” said Federer.

“But overall I’m happy with my game. It’s better than last week in Basel. There I won the tournament and here I played in the semis and it needed somebody of Novak’s calibre to beat me.”

Djokovic will face Khachanov for only the second time in Sunday’s final after the 22-year-old beat Thiem 6-4 6-1.

“He’s been playing some sensational tennis. He’s striking the ball beautifully,” Djokovic said.

“I’ve got to use my experience and hopefully I can recover before then.”

Analysis

Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent

Their 47th meeting was one of their best.

Federer drove Djokovic to distraction by saving all 12 break points he faced – including one with a volley he wasn’t even able to see as the ball reared at him off the net.

Both served commandingly in the final set and the only anti-climax was the final tie-break in which Federer was error-strewn and Djokovic showed no mercy.

Federer has played superbly here, especially when you consider he was unsure whether even to compete after winning a 99th title in Basel last week.

But Djokovic is unquestionably the best in the world right now: he has played 32 matches since June and won 31 of them.

Karolina Pliskova has pulled out of the Czech Republic’s Fed Cup final against the United States with a torn calf muscle.

Pliskova, 26, was injured at the WTA Finals and will be replaced by world doubles number one Barbora Krejcikova.

Pliskova, the world number eight, said she was “terribly sorry” to miss the final, which starts on 10 November.

The United States team is already missing Serena and Venus Williams and WTA Finals runner-up Sloane Stephens.

Pliskova said: “Our team is so strong that the girls will replace me.”

The Czechs have also called up seventh-ranked Petra Kvitova, 33rd-ranked Barbora Strycova and 31st-ranked Katerina Siniakova, who is Krejcikova’s doubles partner and fellow doubles world number one.

The final involves the two most successful nations in Fed Cup history – the USA with 18 trophies and the Czech Republic with 10, including five as part of the former Czechoslovakia. It will be played on the hardcourt of the 15,000-capacity O2 Arena in Prague.

US captain Kathy Rinaldi has called on world number 35 Danielle Collins, 48th-ranked Sofia Kenin and 15th-ranked doubles player Nicole Melichar – each making their Fed Cup debuts.

Alison Riske, ranked 63rd in the world, will also make the trip to Prague for the two-day final as the US bid to defend their title.

Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro has withdrawn from the season-ending ATP Finals in London and will be replaced by Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

World number four Del Potro is still sidelined with the right knee injury he sustained in Shanghai last month.

Nishikori will join Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev, Kevin Anderson, Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem at the event.

“It’s frustrating for me not to be able to compete in London,” said Del Potro.

The Argentine, 30, last played in the tournament in 2013 but has been plagued by injuries since.

“It’s a very special tournament and I’ve tried everything possible to get my knee better,” he added. “The rehabilitation is making good progress, but I need more time.

“Of course, it’s disappointing for me right now, but I had a very good season overall.”

The ATP Finals run at the O2 Arena from 11-18 November.

Garbine Muguruza was thrashed by China’s Wang Qiang after arguing with her coach during the WTA Elite Trophy semi-finals in Zuhai.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Muguruza called Sam Sumyk on court after being broken to trail 3-2 in the opening set.

The two had a heated conversation which led to Sumyk saying “I don’t talk to people who are upset” and leaving the court during the change of ends.

The Spaniard then lost the next nine games as Wang triumphed 6-2 6-0.

Wang, who only played in the semi-final after Madison Keys withdrew with a knee injury, will play Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in the final.

Barty overcame German defending champion Julia Gorges 4-6 6-3 6-2.

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Muguruza struggled on serve from the start and saved two break points before Wang finally made the breakthrough in a game lasting 11 minutes.

The former world number one looked short of confidence after the row with Sumyk.

She finished with just 14 winners to Wang’s 34, as well as 21 unforced errors.