One of the following four shocking developments is guaranteed to become a reality: John Isner will qualify for London, Jack Sock will qualify for London, Julien Benneteau will win the Paris title, or Jack Sock will win the Paris title. Things will begin to sort themselves out on Saturday.
(WC) Julien Benneteau vs. (16) Jack Sock
Sock is two wins away from an improbable berth in the World Tour Finals. Benneteau is two wins away from what would be a dramatic and long-awaited first career ATP title. One dream will come to an end when they square off in the semifinals of the Rolex Paris Masters on Saturday. Their only previous encounter also came at a Masters 1000 event during the fall swing, as Benneteau prevailed 6-3, 6-4 three years ago in Shanghai. Nearing the conclusion of his career at 35 years old, Benneteau is ranked 83rd in the world and had been just 9-13 at the ATP level prior to his arrival in Paris. From completely out of nowhere, the wild-card entrant has pulled off upsets of Denis Shapovalov, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, David Goffin, and Marin Cilic.
He is the underdog once again, but not an especially big one against a fellow surprise semifinalist. Prior this week, Sock was a dreadful 13-16 in his last 29 matches after a blistering first three months of the season when he won 18 of his first 21 matches. The 22nd-ranked American has advanced in Paris by taking out Kyle Edmund, Lucas Pouille, and Fernando Verdasco. His run is even more stunning because he trailed Edmund 5-1 in the third set of their second-round tussle. This is a great opportunity for Benneteau’s ride to continue at the expense of an opponent who may not be quite 100 percent from a physical standpoint.
Pick: Benneteau in 3
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(Q) Filip Krajinovic vs. (9) John Isner
Like Sock, Isner will snag the eighth and final spot in London if he captures the Paris title. Juan Martin Del Potro found himself in an even better position on Friday, but Isner put an end to the Argentine’s year-end championship hopes with a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 victory. The 14th-ranked American preceded that result by winning three-setters against Diego Schwartzman and Grigor Dimitrov–the latter via a 7-6(10), 5-7, 7-6(3) decision in which he saved a match point at 2-5 in the final set and broke for the first time all afternoon at 3-5. The 2016 runner-up of this tournament, Isner is 38-21 in 2017 with a pair of 250-point titles in Newport and Atlanta.
Up next for the No. 9 seed is a second career showdown against Krajinovic. Their only previous meeting came way back on the Challenger circuit in 2008, when Isner got the job done 6-2, 6-4 on the hard courts of Lubbock, Texas. Challengers are where Krajinovic has made his living this season, to the extent that he had won only a single ATP-level match prior to this week–and zero prior to a first-round Moscow victory a few weeks ago. The 77th-ranked Serb qualified for the Paris main draw and beat Yuichi Sugita, Sam Querrey, and Nicolas Mahut before getting a walkover from Sam Querrey. A well-rested Krajinovic has absolutely no pressure on him, but the story is much different for Isner–who has already played for more than seven and a half hours this week.
Pick: Krajinovic in 3
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WWW?
B4 getting a walkover from R. Nadal.
1) J. Benneteau in 2.
2) J. Isner in 2 tight sets or 3.
If your picks hold Krajinovic would play Benneteau in the finals?!? (speaking of shocking)
Benneateau in three and Isner in two. Ricky I am genuinely shocked that you picked Krajinovic
I guess it’s because Isner has spent many hours out there already; Krajinovic is physically fresh. Krajinovic may be able to track down and return many balls from Isner.
Isner had a tired Delpo to deal with yet he let the match went the distance. I feel he’s prone to falter at times during crucial moments so Krajinovic may have his chances.
Well I am forgetting that Isner was dinged up out there. Hopefully the injury is okay tomorrow. It would be epic if Krajinovic made the finals but I don’t wanna see Big John lose this one.
When and how was Isner dinged? Dinged where?
John Isner has played 9 sets and 5 tiebreaks and that’s not easy.
Filip K has a partial rest advantage, partial because R. Nadal withdrew but F. Krajinovic had to play 2 qualification matches, Filip has played 12 sets no tiebreak.
He will cause trouble but won’t win.
J. Isner to win
I just hope Benneteau keeps winning, it would be the story of the year.
Can’t really see Benneteau getting out by the hands of Sock.
Don’t know that much about Krajinovic, but Isner should get the victory there. I want the fairytale to end with the title for the old frenchman, he deserves it.
Ricky, there is a CORRECTION in your above preview. Did the correction in CAPS.
“The 77th-ranked Serb qualified for the Paris main draw and beat Yuichi Sugita, Sam Querrey, and Nicolas Mahut before getting a walkover from RAFAEL NADAL.”
“A well-rested Krajinovic has absolutely no pressure on him, but the story is much different for Isner–who has already played for more than seven and a half hours this week.”
Isner is used to playing long matches his whole life. So, he knows how to deal with it (a little tiredness).
When there is a huge reward to be reaped by winning the Paris Open (WTF spot & more money besides the Prize money of Paris Open) a little tiredness will be easily forgotten or absorbed. Will you not do the same if you are in Isner’s shoes (OK, his shoes may not fit you or me!lol)?
Besides Isner loves to play in Paris as he has good memories of wins here in previous years. Even Benneteau is tired, but isn’t the old man not chugging along? Then why can’t a young,handsome strong man like Isner? OK, that answers your question about Isner’s winning today!lol
Pistol’s view for what it’s worth!
I can not see Krajanovic in a big tournament making it past the giant! It’s true Krajanovic has fitness on his side, but I would argue he is inexpereinced playing with the big boys, he is more of a challenger play, as far as I am aware, although he has had good results this week.
Isner will look to get the serve booming, cheap easy points and a 2-0 win for him in my view!
Benneteau v Sock am still looking into, looks a closer one to call in my view.
So straightforward win, if anything is straightforward for Isner. I just think Krajanovic will find it too much pressure and choke! let’s see.
Your comments are appreciated
Wow, Kraj took first set! Crazy… Also, I agree with what someone said above- Benneteau winning this tournament would absolutely, for me, but arguably one of the greatest stories ever in men’s tennis.
Yes it would
I like this Krajinovic’s game; he can mix it up so nicely, throws in some drop shots to keep Isner guessing, not a hard hitter kind of guy.
Where has he been all these while? He only appears here at Paris at end of season. What’s he doing the whole year?
I was wondering where is Gilles Muller? he just disappeared after Wimbledon.
Muller is injured I think.
Injured ☹️
He’s been dominating at challengers lol. I think he’s won five titles this year on the circuit. And how crazy would it be if he made the final or won and was seeded at the Aussie. Krajinovic a seed in Melbourne… #epic
He can move to the net to win points too! And, he looks calm and cool playing in his first Masters SF! Impressive!
The difference between these ‘ordinary’ players vs the big four is in the way they return big serves. I mean the big four would’ve figured out how to return the big serves after so many games and after three sets of tennis.
Krajinovic simply couldn’t figure out how to return Isner’s big serve after 30 over games and three tight sets of tennis. I mean he couldn’t learn a thing or two about Isner’s pattern of serving, he’s totally at the mercy of Isner’s serve. When it gets to TB,Krajinovic is losing it because he can’t return Isner’s big serve. Unless Isner falters, Krajinovic won’t have a chance.
Or could he…
107 – 101 points to Isner. Is it fair for Isner to have lost? Haven’t seen the match.
Krajinovic is leading 5-4 in the TB now, putting Isner under pressure, 5-5 now, and yes Krajinovic takes his chances and makes a good return, 6-5, yes!
And yes, Krajinovic wins the match!!! So happy for him, he’s so emotional after the win! Very well done!! Good boy!
Well he has cofounded a lot of people.
# the dark horse strikes
This one’s gonna fuckin sting. John Isner basically just defined his whole career with one result. Isner gets Filip Krajinovic in the semifinals of a masters 1000 event with Benneteau or Sock awaiting in the finals and he loses in a third set tiebreak, a situation he should excel in. Basically he’s the essence of unclutchness. Yet I’ve seen him play clutch tennis like in his wins leading up to this match. But at slams and in some of the most important situations… also congrats to Ricky with a clutch pick.
See Benny, I said it before, Isner is not clutch often when it matters.
Oh, Ricky is good in his pick here. Well done Ricky.
Wow! Way to go, Filip! Epic win for the brave kid! Bravo!
I checked Krajinovic’s info at the ATP website, he’s 25 but poor soul, he only has $800+k career prize money so far. It must be hard life out there playing since 2008 and earning so little.
He now has at least USD400+k prize money from this Paris Masters final, about half of what he has earned so far prior to this. Incredible! He will be ranked in the 30s at least, after this; good for him, no need to play qualifying and no need to play challengers anymore. Good for him.
I think he plays good tennis, can move to the net, throws in some S&V and some one two punches. He has a nice game.
Why couldn’t Isner just lose to Del Po if he was gonna blow the greatest masters 1000 draw of all time? That’s not even an exaggeration either.
If Sock loses his SF match, then who would be 9th in line after Busta? I’m just wondering on the off-chance that Rafa decides to pull out of WTF. Would it be DelPo? Or is Isner moving ahead of Delpo by making the semis?
Delpo won’t be going I feel. He said he’s heading home for a good rest, so somebody else will take over should Rafa skips WTF (not likely I feel). Next in line will be Querrey and then Anderson.
I think Rafa is playing. Doctor did not find anything major. The treatment is underway. He can rest for 4-5 days and resume practice.
Yeah, I don’t actually think that Rafa will skip WTF, obviously unless his knee is too sore to even play.
Julian vs FILIP would be great. And people say tennis is a top heavy sport!
All saltiness bout John losing aside, this run by Krajinovic is amazing. I think we are gonna get Benneteau vs Krajinovic in the finals…
I am sorry to say that Sock will take this. I don’t think the French man has anything left in his tank. The crowds will push forward but how much…
Sock will drag him into rallies.