Paris Masters 2017: Krajinovic knocks Isner out, faces Sock in final
Filip Krajinovic defeated John Isner 6-4 6-7(2) 7-6(5) in the semifinals of the Paris Masters on Saturday. Isner, who is known for competing in long matches, had to battle it out in a 2 hours and 27-minute contest but it was Krajinovic who came out on top. This loss crushed Isner's hopes of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals which is slated to begin from November 12.
Krajinovic, who came into the tournament as a qualifier, managed to keep his calm in an intense clash and delivered a top-notch performance to win the 17th singles match of his career. He was supposed to face Nadal in the quarter-finals yesterday, but the World Number 1 pulled himself out of the tournament which sent the Serbian straight into the semis.
Isner, meanwhile, once again fell short of the title after the American was soundly defeated in the finals last year by Andy Murray.
In the other semifinal clash, Julien Benneteau's dream run finally culminated after Jack Sock defeated him 7-5 6-2 to advance to the final. The 25-year-old American is chasing his 4th singles title and if he manages to beat Krajinovic tomorrow, Sock will break into the top 8 of the ATP Rankings and earn himself a place in the Nitto ATP Finals.
Benneteau tried to stretch the first set but Sock got the better of him, edging it 7-5. The 25-year-old American didn't let Benneteau settle and crushed him 6-2 in the second set to progress.