Novak Djokovic will go up against Marin Cilic in the Paris quarterfinals on Friday. A more unlikely showdown is an all-American affair between Jack Sock and John Isner, who won the Shanghai doubles title together.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (9) Marin Cilic
It will be a potential preview of a World Tour Finals matchup when Djokovic and Cilic collide in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Masters on Friday. Cilic became the seventh player in qualify for London when he defeated fellow contender David Goffin 6-3, 7-6(9) during third-round action on Thursday. The 10th-ranked Croat was almost an afterthought for the year-end championship prior to the hard-court summer, but he captured the Cincinnati title and also triumphed last week in Basel. Cilic preceded his win over Goffin by beating countryman Ivo Karlovic 7-6(7), 6-2.
Djokovic, meanwhile, is still in a race of his own–for the year-end No. 1 ranking. The Serb would lose that spot if he fails to reach the Paris final and Andy Murray wins the title, or if he falls to Cilic and Murray advances to the final. Djokovic has cooled off considerably since winning the French Open, but he has at least managed to scrape past Gilles Muller (6-3, 6-4) and Grigor Dimitrov (4-6, 6-2, 6-3) so far this week. The court surface is relatively slow, so the three-time defending champion should be able to force Cilic into plenty of extended baseline rallies–in which Djokovic will own a clear advantage.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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John Isner vs. Jack Sock
Fellow Americans, Davis Cup teammates, and recent Shanghai doubles champions will be facing each other on Friday, when Sock and Isner battle for a relatively surprising spot in the semis. Isner leads the head-to-head series 4-3, but Sock has won their last two encounters and three of their last four. They most recently met this spring on the red clay of Houston, where Sock advanced through a semifinal showdown via a 7-6(4), 6-3 decision. The world No. 24 prevailed by an almost identical 7-6(5), 6-3 scoreline last fall in Basel, which marked their only previous indoor contest.
A red-hot Sock has been picking up wins left and right in both singles and doubles. He reached the Shanghai quarters in addition to capturing the doubles title with Isner, and he finished runner-up to Juan Martin Del Potro in Basel. So far in Paris, Sock has taken out Philipp Kohlschreiber, Dominic Thiem, and Richard Gasquet. Isner has struggled this year and finds himself down at 27th in the rankings, but he is wrapping up 2016 with another stellar performance at what has to be considered one of his favorite non-U.S. tournaments. The 6’10” American is through to the quarterfinals for a third time (he went all the way to the semis in 2011) following defeats of Mischa Zverev, David Ferrer, and Jan-Lennard Struff. Isner should be able to serve his way to a set, but a clear edge in current form goes to Sock.
Pick: Sock in 3
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When you buy a ticket to a tennis match, there should be a refund available if Isner is playing – or at the very least if he needs a TB to win.
Yes Marin, halfway there! I feared the worst when he blazed that half court forehand wide when the line was open on the first match point. I also feared the worst when the line judge missed that blatant long ball by Djokovic that nearly led to a break of serve. Umpire has to overrule that. Saying from his angle it looked close was a pathetic excuse
Cilic is truly hopeless!! He’s going to lose this match and will be 0-15 vs Djoko! No confidence at all when nearing the finish line.
Nole does a “Rafa” getting broke serving for the second set LOL.
Leave Rafa out of this.
He’s been out of this for a long time sweetie.
How’s your living in a world without Rafa doing lol.
Cilic is lucky that Djoko served like crap. I cant stand these players feeling so nervous when they are about to beat Djoko. How many times we see them faltered and lost a winnable match?
luckystar, you’re right. Djoko wins many matches by default.
Cilic wins!! Dallez!!
Congratulations Benny, manwerty, all Cilic pickers!
dang it, Nole.
London will definitely be “interesting”
Not entirely convinced about the lot at London. Keeping an open mind.
Well done, Marin! ✌
Yes! Finally Cilic has his first win over Djoko. Its obvious Cilic is very nervous as he really wants this win. Cilic now finally has win(s) over all members of the big four. Well done, after looking so hopeless when facing Djoko.
Cilic must feel excited. To lose to one guys so many times, must be a huge relief to finally win.. London is going to be crazy! Who is ready?
he is balling right now
Hell yeah he is. Let’s go Marin!!
A.Murray has to reach the final to overtake Djoko:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cwb7kVCXgAMLsZj.jpg
Uh boy. You are right, augusta. #1 is not a done deal. Seems likely down the road but I don’t know about winning Paris. Right now I need to see how Andy comes out v Berdych.
Berdych should be smooth sailing. It’s the semis against Tsonga that would be tough for Andy. With the crowd against him and so much on the line I wouldn’t be too surprised to see him lose that one. If he plays Raonic I would expect him to win moreso than if he was playing Tsonga at that stage. If he makes the final I’m sure he will win though Cilic could win this week too. Would be incredible if Tsonga pulled it off.
Berdych played some excellent tennis,too bad he faltered in the end and lost the first set tiebreak- he was 6-1 up in the TB but lost it 9-11!
I have not seen Berdych playing so well for a long time, he looks trimmer now and is also quicker around the court now. He’s playing very good attacking tennis, I like it.
I hope Berdych can play so well when facing Djoko.