Novak Djokovic dispensed with the Darth Vader mask but still proved too daunting an adversary for American John Isner when he reached the Paris Masters quarter-finals with a 6-7(5) 6-1 6-2 victory yesterday.

The Serbian world number two, who entered the Bercy arena last year as the infamous Star Wars villain, survived a barrage of aces from the towering Isner before ruthlessly dispatching him.

“I know, I know. It’s my fault. I was not prepared enough... so I’m going to have to be pretending that I’m myself this year. No Darth Vader,” Djokovic said.

Roger Federer showed glimpses of his brilliant best as the 17-times grand slam champion outclassed German Philip Kohlschreiber 6-3 6-4 to move into the last eight.

A day after securing his place at next week’s ATP World Tour finals in London, the Swiss was won comfortably to set up a clash with Juan Martin del Potro, who beat him in the Basel final last week.

He will be joined in London by compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka and France’s Richard Gasquet, who qualified after Canadian Milos Raonic, who had a slim chance of snatching one of the last two spots, lost 7-6(13) 6-4 to Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych.