Paris: John Isner pushed on towards a ATP Tour finals spot here Friday when he made it through to the semifinals of the Paris Masters tennis tournament with a 6-4, 6-7(5-7), 6-4 win against Argentine Juan Martin del Potro.
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 Arena in London, November 12-19.
Del Potro would have claimed the spot 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 No.1 Nadal withdrew injured.
The home support had something to cheer, however, when wildcard Julien Benneteau defeated third seed Marin Cilic of Croatia 7-6(7-5), 7-5 to advance to the last four. He will face American Jack Sock who defeated Spain’s Fernando Verdasco 6-7(5-7), 6-2, 6-3.
While the top seeds have been paying the price of a demanding season, Isner has looked fresh and despite allowing Del Potro to level at one-set all with a double fault on set point, the American was a cut above his opponent.
“I definitely wasn’t preparing to play Rafa (in the following round), it was all about Del Potro,” Isner said after his late night match. It was a tough match no doubt, but I was always confident that I would win.
Benneteau was also the fresher player when he faced Cilic and played the important points far better than his opponent.
Cilic double faulted to hand the opening set to Benneteau and the Frenchman played the closing stages of the second perfectly, wrapping up the match with a superb forehand winner down the line on the Croatian’s serve.
At a glance
John Isner bt Del Potro 6-4, 6-7(5-7), 6-4
Julien Benneteau bt Marin Cilic 7-6(7-5), 7-5
Jack Sock bt Fernando Verdasco 6-7(5-7), 6-2, 6-3
