Paris (AFP)

The final duel between the two best players of the season will not take place at the Masters 1000 in Paris: Nadal package, it is Denis Shapovalov that Novak Djokovic will face this Sunday to try to win his 5th title in Paris.

The 32-year-old Serbian, who has won four of his five finals played so far at Bercy (2009, 2013, 2014, 2015), will hand down whatever happens his place of world No.1 in Nadal on Monday. But he will have less points to catch up at the end of year Masters in London (10-17 November) to return to the throne and finish for the 6th time the year as N.1 worldwide. Like Pete Sampras.

Beat Shapovalov, who has renounced to participate in the Under-21 Masters in Milan (5-9 November), however, will not be easy.

As Nadal said Friday night, the Canadian - who reached the Masters 1000 final for the first time at the age of 20 and will make his debut Monday in the World Top 15 - "is playing better and better every game."

The numbers show it: since Winston Salem in August, he has a record of 19 games won for 6 defeats, including a title in Stockholm and his first Masters 1000 final in Paris.

Also, Nole hopes "to be able to be at the top" to face it.

"His game has always been there and this year he has improved even more," noted Djokovic, pointing out that Shapovalov "made fewer direct mistakes".

- "Awesome" -

"He made impressive matches, especially against Monfils," Friday in the quarter, said Djokovic.

The Canadian confirms having played "incredibly well" against the Frenchman (13th) he beat sharply 6-2, 6-2.

"I hope I can play the same kind of level against Djokovic, but at the same time, Novak is a different player, so it's going to be another type of match, another kind of tennis," he added.

Anyway, and even if he admits that he would have preferred to qualify otherwise than the Nadal package he learned "in the locker room then (he) was preparing" for the match, the fiery Canadian intends to play his luck thoroughly.

"I have nothing to lose, it's great to be for the first time in the final of a Masters 1000, for me it's just a bonus," he warned.

Especially since he has never beaten Djokovic in three confrontations, all this year.

Only a slight-doubt remains as to the state of form of the Serb in search of a 34th Masters 1000 trophy, a record length Nadal.

Appeared very weakened by a sort of cold for his entry in the running, he had to draw in his last forces to dismiss the young French Corentin Moutet (97th). Djokovic has only gone into action since, as Saturday's Grigor Dimitrov (28th), dominated 7-6 (7/5) 6-4. Only the voice still very hoarse betrayed health glitches.

© 2019 AFP