Isner Dethrones Karlovic For 2016 Aces Title

John Isner will look to put a bow on his 2016 ATP World Tour campaign by claiming his first Masters 1000 title on Sunday, but the 31 year old has already made quite the closing statement this week at the BNP Paribas Masters.

The big-serving American clinched the most aces this year in the Infosys ATP Scores & Stats, after launching 18 in a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Marin Cilic in the Paris semi-finals. Isner brings his total to 1,141, surging past Ivo Karlovic (1,131) to claim the aces title for a fourth time (2010, '12-13). Karlovic was bidding to achieve the feat for a record-tying sixth time (w/ Ivanisevic) and third straight year. He entered the week with a 50-ace lead.

Year-End Aces Leaders

With the win, Isner also keeps alive a handful of personal streaks, finishing as the top American for the fifth straight year and in the Top 20 of the Emirates ATP Rankings for a seventh consecutive season. Having alternated the top U.S. spot with Steve Johnson and Jack Sock in recent months, Isner is projected to finish as the year-end World No. 19. Victory over new No. 1 Andy Murray in Sunday's final would see him ascend to No. 15.

"I wouldn't want to have it any other way," Isner said. "Playing the No. 1 player in the world, the new No. 1, in the final of an event like this is going to be a huge challenge for me, but that's what makes this game so awesome and so tough at the same time.

"There are so many great players, and Andy, of course, is one of the all-time greats in my opinion. I have never beaten him before. He's had my number. But also I had never beaten Cilic before coming into this match."

Isner also keeps alive his bid for at least one ATP World Tour title in seven straight seasons. He will contest his third Masters 1000 final, having lost to Roger Federer in Indian Wells in 2012 and to Rafael Nadal in Cincinnati in 2013.

He most recently faced Murray two weeks ago at the Erste Bank Open 2016 in Vienna, falling 6-1, 6-3.

"Oh, nothing, because I won four games," Isner said, smiling, when asked what he learned from playing the Scot two weeks ago. "I have deleted that match from my memory. I played him some other times and it's been much closer. I might look back on those matches. I will try to forget about that one."