Jack Sock’s dreams of London are still alive. The American’s chances of qualifying for his first Nitto ATP Finals looked bleak at the beginning of the week, when he was 24th in the Emirates ATP Race To London. But after fending off a tough challenge from the in-form Fernando Verdasco, 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the semi-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters, Sock is within two wins of becoming the final player to qualify for the year-end finale. It is the second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final of the 25-year-old’s career, with the first coming earlier this year at Indian Wells. But perhaps more importantly, Sock has a realistic chance at soaring up the Race standings to become...
It was already an eventful day in Bercy. But the last Frenchman in the draw wouldn't let Friday end without producing more excitement. Julien Benneteau continued his dream run at his final Rolex Paris Masters, advancing to his second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final (2014 Shanghai) with a victory over the highest seed remaining, No. 3 Marin Cilic, 7-6(5), 7-5. "I believe that win ranks quite high in everything I achieved in my career," Benneteau said. "When it's over, we'll see what will be the final ranking. It's a bit early to say. But, of course, individually, I believe it's my most beautiful emotion ever." Benneteau’s triumph came in what was only his fifth Masters 1000 quarter-final. And despite...
John Isner’s chances of qualifying for his first Nitto ATP Finals were slim at the start of the week. But after eliminating the 13th seed, Juan Martin del Potro, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4, in the quarter-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters, the 32-year-old is within two matches of turning his London dreams into a reality. "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."...
Rafael Nadal clinched the year-end No. 1 spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings on Wednesday for the fourth time. But the Spaniard’s season is not over yet. Nadal continued his pursuit of a first Rolex Paris Masters title with a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 victory over Pablo Cuevas to advance to the quarter-finals. The left-hander’s best result at the event came in 2007, when he lost in the final against David Nalbandian. In the bigger picture, Nadal earned his 18th win in his past 19 matches, gaining momentum ahead of the Nitto ATP Finals, another event at which he will try to win his first title. Nadal was certainly tested by Cuevas, who trailed by a set and a break. But...
Julien Benneteau fell to as low as No. 696 in the Emirates ATP Rankings last January. After one of the great wins of his career, that seems far away. The Frenchman thrilled his raucous home crowd at the Rolex Paris Masters on Thursday, eliminating seventh seed David Goffin, 6-3, 6-3, to advance to his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 quarter-final since Shanghai in 2014. And as special a moment it was for Benneteau, it was devastating for Goffin. The Belgian could have clinched his first berth in the Nitto ATP Finals by taking out the Frenchman. But instead, he had to nervously await the results of other London contenders. But luckily for the Belgian, 16th-seeded Jack Sock guaranteed Goffin's...
