Paris Nov 4 (IANS) French ATP tour veteran Julien Benneteau edged Croatia s Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Paris Masters and keep alive his pursuit of a maiden singles title.
The 35-year-old wildcard who finished runner-up in 10 Tour-level finals between 2008 and 2014 can give himself an 11th chance at a title if he can defeat either American Jack Sock or Spain s Fernando Verdasco on Saturday afternoon reports Efe.
The third-seeded Cilic appeared poised for a run at his second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title after Spanish world No. 1 and top seed Rafael Nadal pulled out of the tournament on Friday with a knee injury but Benneteau had other ideas.
The Frenchman more than held his own in the service department striking 12 aces to Cilic s nine and also enjoyed a surprising amount of success in his return games.
Benneteau took inspiration from a boisterous home crowd in grabbing service-break leads in both sets but Cilic drew level both times.
The first set was decided in a close tiebreaker after four service breaks while Benneteau managed to break the Croatian s serve a fourth time in the 12th game of the second set to clinch the victory.
After wrapping up the win with a forehand winner an emotional Benneteau fought back tears and lay sprawled out on the court while soaking in the crowd s cheers.
Cilic s 32 unforced errors 15 more than his opponent proved to be his downfall in Friday night s match.
Benneteau s victory meanwhile ensures that a there will be a new Masters 1000 champion and a first-time winner of this indoor hard-court event.
Saturday s first semi-final will pit big-serving American John Isner a 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 winner over Argentina s Juan Martin del Potro against Serbian qualifier Filip Krajinovic who advanced to the final four due to Nadal s injury withdrawal.
--IANS
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