Isner has ATP Finals berth in sights
PARIS John Isner stayed on track for the last spot at the ATP Finals by beating Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4 in the Paris Masters quarter-finals Friday.
The American was the runnerup last year and needs to win the tournament to reach the finals in London this month.
“I’ve given myself a pretty good shot to qualify,” Isner said. “But it’s going to be very tough.”
Meanwhile, top-ranked Rafael Nadal pulled out with a right knee injury, and hopes to be fit to lead the London field.
The loss ended del Potro’s hopes of reaching London. The Argentine needed to win to earn his place.
“I’m exhausted. But I did all my effort, I don’t have anything to (reproach) myself (for),” del Potro said. “I’ve been playing three sets today without legs, without energy. Now it’s time to get home and enjoy the vacation.”
The eighth and last berth for London is between Isner and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain, who is ahead of Isner in the race.
Isner, who played with strapping above his left knee, broke for 2-1 in the third set. With an unreturnable serve on his first match point, Isner topped del Potro for only the third time in nine matches.
Isner will next face Serbian qualifier Filip Krajinovic, who advanced when Nadal withdrew.
Nadal signalled his knee wasn’t right during his third-round win over Pablo Cuevas on Thursday.
“I’m going to do my treatment, do my best to be playing in London,” he said. “But I cannot talk about that now; it is tough enough for me to pull out from here.”
Unseeded Julien Benneteau continued his unexpected march by knocking out third-seeded Marin Cilic 7-6 (5), 7-5. Benneteau sealed victory on his first match point on Cilic’s serve and became emotional, dropping his racket, blowing kisses, and tearing up.
In his last Paris Masters before retiring, the Frenchman has a shot at a first career title on home court. He next faces Jack Sock, who rallied past Fernando Verdasco 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-3.