By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, August 15, 2015

The sight of a big-serving opponent, the sting of pain popping from his elbow and the smell of weed emanating in the air all tested Novak Djokovic's senses at various times in today's Montreal semifinal.

A fully focused Djokovic had no time for complications or contact highs. The world No. 1 was too busy extending his elevation in Masters events to be bothered by a familiar opponent, nagging pain or a smoking fan.

More: Djokovic Saves Match Points to Subdue Gulbis

Djokovic dismissed Jeremy Chardy, 6-4, 6-4, earning his 30th consecutive Masters 1000 victory, roaring into his fourth Rogers Cup final and raising his 2015 record to 52-3.

The top-seeded Serbian scored his 39th victory in his last 40 matches. And aside from two visits from the trainer to massage his elbow, he barely looked stressed in the process.

Chardy saved seven match points and survived 32 aces edging John Isner in the quarterfinals yesterday—one round after he withstood 18 aces in downsizing massive-serving Ivo Karlovic. Contesting his first career Masters semifinal, Chardy could not find solutions for an opponent who has tormented him since their junior days.

The game's returner befuddled the Frenchman mixing the speeds, spins and locations of his serves to set up his first strike. Djokovic served 72 percent, dropped just six points on first serve and did not face a break point in continuing his dominance of his former junior rival. Djokovic is now 10-0 lifetime against Chardy, collecting all 24 sets they've played.

"I wasn't going so much for my serves. Rather, (I was) trying to find the accuracy to open up a good first ball for my forehand or backhand and move him around the court," Djokovic told ESPN's Brad Gilbert immediately after the match. "I thought I've done really well in service games. Some service games of his, I didn't have any chance. He was serving pretty big. I was just waiting , you know waiting for opportunity to be presented, and when they did I capitalized on them. One break per set was enough."

A shaky two double-fault start put Chardy into a double break point hole moments into the match. Chardy saved the first break point with a backhand volley, but sprayed an inside-out forehand wide as Djokovic broke in the opening game.

That fast start not only put Chardy into a familiar hole, it drained the drama from the first set. This match-up is torture for Chardy because Djokovic can punish his backhand to elicit errors and short balls and his court coverage nullifies the Frenchman's all-court aggression.

Djokovic called the trainer out to examine his right elbow after the fifth game. The wear and tear of playing both singles and doubles in his first tournament after defending the Wimbledon title may have strained his right arm, but Djokovic didn't let it inhibit his game. The top seed served out the 36-minute first set at love.

The longest game of the match opened the second set. Chardy fought off a pair of break points then ran down a drop shot and poked a forehand up the line for 1-0.

During one changeover, Djokovic asked chair umpire Carlos Bernardes if he smelled weed wafting from the crowd. Asked about the scent of marijuana in the air by Gilbert in his post-match interview, Djokovic said it's the second day in a row he's smelled something burning.

"Oh my God, yesterday I felt it during the doubles match. Now again," Djokovic said. "Whoever it is, is getting high and I hope he won't be visiting us tomorrow because it's a pretty bad smell."

Receiving another elbow massage from the trainer during the changeover after game three, Djokovic returned to action thumping down a love hold for 2-all.

Under persistent pressure on serve the entire set, Chardy finally cracked. Djokovic fooled the Frenchman with the head fake at net, but held his ground, correctly anticipated the pass down the line and knocked off a backhand volley winner. When Chardy put another drive into net, Djokovic had the break for 3-2. He never looked back.

Continuing his quest for a sixth consecutive Masters crown, Djokovic will face second-seeded Andy Murray, whom Djokovic has beaten eight straight times since his loss to the Scot in the 2013 Wimbledon final. Murray pummeled Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 6-0 in Saturday's second semifinal and will return to No. 2 in the ATP rankings next week as a result of his trip to the final. The Scot won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010 in Canada.

First, Djokovic has some unfinished business. He is scheduled to partner Janko Tipsarevic in today's doubles semifinals and then may well seek further treatment of his elbow.

"Considering the elbow issue yeah it's part of what we do," Djokovic said. "Sometimes, it comes in stronger intensity with pain, but I have to bear with it. This week hasn't been very pleasant, but every day I'm trying to do my best to get it ready."