By placing in the semi-finals of Paris Čilić secured his position in the final Masters tournament to be played in London from 13 to 20 November, while also climbing to seventh place in the ATP rankings which is his best career position
The premier Croatian tennis player Marin Čilić failed in his attempt to enter the final of the ATP Masters 1000 series tour in Paris, losing to America John Isner with 6-4, 6-3 after an hour and 11 minutes of play. This was their seventh matchup and the first win for the American. The loss comes a day after his first win over first-seeded player, Serbian Novak Đoković, in his 15th attempt, Jutarnji List reported on November 5, 2016.
Isner made excellent serves the entire match and brilliantly returned Čilić’s serves, while Čilić was nowhere near his performance in Basel last week and previous matches in Paris. Already in the first game Čilić had to face three break points, but made his way out of each with a great service. Unfortunately, in the ninth game his service did not help in an unenviable position.
In the fourth game of the second set Čilić made three excellent returns and gained his only break point in the match, to which Isner answered with three consecutive aces and got away from the situation. Čilić’s concentration fell in the end, at 3-3 he allowed Isner to gain three break points and use the third, going on to lose his service again at 3-5, losing the match as well.
By placing in the semi-finals of Paris Čilić secured his position in the final Masters tournament to be played in London from 13 to 20 November, while also climbing to seventh place in the ATP rankings which is his best career position.
Isner will play on Sunday against the better player in the match between British Andy Murray and Canadian Miloš Raonić. In case Murray wins he would for the first time in his career secure the top ranking on the ATP scale.
