Juan Martin Del Potro’s Nitto ATP World Tour Finals chances seemed nothing short of impossible throughout the past few months. They came one set short of becoming a reality on Friday at the Rolex Paris Masters.
When a semifinal run would have clinched a spot in the year-end championship, Del Potro lost to John Isner 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 during quarterfinal action on Friday afternoon. Isner is now two victories away, himself, from the eighth and final berth in London.
“It was very satisfying and I was confident going into this match,” Isner said. “I took the court knowing that I’ve been playing pretty well. And also playing with a bit of house money after yesterday, being down 5-2 in the third set (against Grigor Dimitrov). I sort of escaped yesterday and was given some new life today and I think I took advantage of it.
“Going into this tournament I wasn’t thinking about [London] at all. I was sort of thinking about what football games I’m going to watch back home when this tournament is over. But now–I’m certainly I’m not going to lie to you guys–it’s in my mind. It would be great to qualify for that.”
Isner is part of a shocking quarterfinal lineup that also includes Filip Krajinovic and Julien Benneteau. Krajinovic got a quarterfinal walkover from No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal, who withdrew because of a right-knee injury.
The 6’10” American will face Krajinovic on Saturday. He will qualify for London if he wins the Paris title.
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Going with Isner now and ditching my boy (Krajinovic, who seems to have had more fun than he was supposed to in Paris. Thank Nadal, Kraji for 1 more day of fun that you had!)!lol Now go back to Serbia Kraj!lol