Del Porto reaches Paris Masters quarters for 3rd time

Juan Martin del Potro's dream of reaching the ATP Finals was ended by John Isner of the United States in the Paris Masters quarter-finals here, while Serbian qualifier Filip Krajinovic enjoyed a walkover after year-end world No. 1 Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal due to a knee injury.

The 25-year-old Serb slid onto his back and sobbed, his arms raised, after sealing victory on his first match point. The Serb then knelt and kissed the court.

Eyeing his first win in the round of 8 at the tournament, Del Potro will play the victor of the match between sixth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and ninth seed American John Isner.

He was a runner-up in Paris previous year and again fell short of an elusive first Masters title.

Krajinovic is the lowest-ranked player in a Masters final since 191st-ranked Andrei Pavel in Paris in 2003.

The 77th-ranked Krajinovic had won only 17 matches in his whole career - thwarted by injuries - before this tournament.

Serb Krajinovic, playing in his first semi-final of the season, beat Isner 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) to ensure the American can not qualify for the season-ending ATP Tour Finals in London.

Krajinovic stunned Isner with a thrilling 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/5) victory to reach the Paris Masters final. Sock can still qualify for London if he wins the tournament.

This second semi-final looks a little more likely to be less serve-orientated than the first semi-final, although both players boast surface hold percentages in excess of the ATP mean, and it's interesting to compare the latter stage records of both players.

However he succumbed in three sets despite putting up a massive fight in the second to level the match. She appeared fully conscious and had her eyes open.

There, Filip had to endure 5 deuces in the opening game, never facing a break point, though, and John was just too strong in his games, letting 3 points in 6 service games to keep the scoreboard under control. Then he spurned another chance on Krajinovic's serve at 30-40 in the ninth game.

Isner, who lost in the final 12 months ago to Andy Murray, went on the attack in search of the all-important mini-break, but it was Del Potro who took a 4-3 lead with a threaded backhand passing shot.

The world number 14 struck 31 aces on Saturday, but saw a stubborn Krajinovic save all five of the break points he faced.

The second of those game when Krajinovic fired off a blistering victor from a return, before holding his own serve to trigger wild celebrations from his coach and fans in the crowd.