Paris boy Julien revels in surprise display at home
Unlikely French hero Julien Benneteau delighted in his “most beautiful” victory after stunning world number five Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 to reach the Paris Masters semi-finals on Friday.
The 35-year-old dropped out of the world’s top 500 two years ago after a string of injuries, but is now two wins away from the first ATP title of his 17-year career, having lost all 10 of his previous finals.
The world number 83 had not beaten a top-10 player since 2014 before this week, but he has now seen off two in as many days after knocking out 10th-ranked David Goffin in the last 16.
“I believe that win ranks quite high in everything I achieved in my career. When it’s over, we’ll see what will be the final ranking,” he said.
“But, of course, individually, I believe it’s my most beautiful feeling ever.”
Benneteau, who was given a wildcard into only his second Masters event of the season, had not won a match at this level in over a year before arriving at Bercy.
But an incredible run has taken him past Canadian rising star Denis Shapovalov, French number one Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, seventh seed Goffin and 2014 US Open champion Cilic.
His win on Friday was played out in front of a partisan crowd at a packed Bercy Arena.
“Well, I wanted to enjoy it and take advantage of it. It’s a crazy stadium,” Benneteau added.
“There’s a lot of noise and we feel the crowd is very close.
“It’s one of the most beautiful stadiums in France or in Europe, and having the opportunity to play in a tournament like this is magic.”
Benneteau is the first home player to reach the last four in five years, achieving what far more-fancied French favourites have failed to manage.
He is set to retire at the end of next season, and with a return to the world’s top 50 coming next week, Benneteau could find himself playing his final year in the biggest tournaments.
PARIS: I believe that win ranks quite high in everything I achieved in my career. When it’s over, we’ll see what will be the final ranking.
JULIEN BENNETEAU, On his run
ISNER KEEPS TOUR FINALS HOPES ALIVE
John Isner pushed on towards a Tour finals spot on Friday when he made it through to the semi-finals of the Paris Masters with a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 win against Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro as the tournament was hit by the withdrawal of Rafa Nadal.
The American, last year’s runner-up, needs to win the tournament if he is to clinch the final berth in the season-ending event at the O2 in London from Nov. 12-19.
Del Potro would have claimed it if he had won, but the ninth seeded Isner was more consistent as he set up a meeting with Serbian qualifier Filip Krajinovic, who advanced after world number one Nadal withdrew injured.
PARIS: