New Shanghai - Novak Djokovic survived 55 unforced errors while missing on 11 break points to scratch out a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win on Saturday into the final of the Masters Cup as he defeated Gilles Simon.

The Serb world number three will await an opponent from Andy Murray and Nikolay Davydenko.

The Scot was hoping for a recovery after spending three hours of drama in defeating Roger Federer 24 hours earlier while Davydenko was relatively rested for his bid at a first year-end final.

Djokovic took treatment in the third set for a left calf muscle pull as he denied the dream of year-end debutant Simon, who claimed the last of the spots in the eight-man field when Rafael Nadal withdrew.

France's Simon brought a 1-0 head-to-head over Djokovic onto the court after defeating the Serb in the Marseille second round in February.

But the rookie was unable to impose his game on the Australian Open holder after winning the first set but fading away in the contest which lasted a shade under three hours.

Djokovic has capped a remarkable turnaround from a year ago in Shanghai when he lost all three of his group matches to return a broken man to Europe.

At this edition, he retains a chance to lift his first title since winning Rome over Swiss Stan Wawrinka in May.

Simon, with three titles in a breakthrough 2008, fought back in the 10th game of the final set to recover a break from Djokovic.

But the Serb seed returned the favour for 6-5 as nerves got the better of the French youngster, with Djokovic wrapping up the hard-fought victory a game later with a drop volley winner. (dpa)