Result: Roger Federer nears first Paris title

Former world number one Roger Federer has moved a step closer to claiming his first Paris Masters title after he defeated Tomas Berdych at the semi-final stage this afternoon.

Federer began the encounter positively, breaking his Czech Republic opponent in the first game of the match.

The Swiss held his serve for the remainder of the set to claim a 6-4 success.

Just as in the opening set, Federer broke early in the second to put himself in the ascendancy.

The 30-year-old sealed the victory by breaking Berdych once again to wrap up a 6-4 6-3 triumph.

He will now take on either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or John Isner in tomorrow's final.