World No. 3 Novak Djokovic had to work hard before getting past Frenchman Gilles Simon to book a place in the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai.

Ironically these two met last year in the semifinals of the Masters Cup last year when it was staged in Shanghai.

This time around Djokovic made the perfect start by winning the first set 6-3. Simon, however, hit back in dramatic style, winning the second set 6-2, but the Serb proved to be too strong in the end, as he won the deciding set 6-2 to seal a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 victory.

Djokovic stunned the tennis world last year when won the Masters Cup. He beat Nikolay Davydenko in the final—and it is Davydenko who he will face in the semis tomorrow.

It would take a brave person to Bet against Djokovic going all the way and winning the title.