Goffin qualifies for London
Originally published on 02/11/17 00:00
On another day of upsets in the City of Light, the world No.10 became the first ever Belgian to qualify for the World Tour finals.
The 26-year-old, who played one match at the season-finale last year after Gael Monfils pulled out with injury, has secured his place on merit this time.
It’s a fine achievement for the Belgian, especially considering he missed two months of the summer schedule due to an ankle problem sustained at Roland Garros.
Juan Martin del Potro’s London hopes remain intact after a 7-5 6-4 success over Robin Haase. One more victory could be enough for the Argentine to secure qualification, however other results will need to go his way.
If the former US Open champion is going to reach the last four in Paris, he must overcome John Isner. The big-serving American, who reached the final last year, recovered from a break in a tense third set to defeat Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(10) 5-7 7-6(3).
Rafael Nadal may have secured the year-end No.1 spot on Wednesday, but his desire to win remains as strong as ever.
It was far from a vintage display from the Spaniard against Pablo Cuevas in the last sixteen, but he raised his level in the decider and claimed a deserved 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3 win.
He will take on unlikely quarter-finalist, Filip Krajinovic, on Friday. The world No.77 reached the last eight of a Masters for the first time after taking out home favourite Nicolas Mahut 6-2 3-6 6-1.
Also on day four, Jack Sock ended Lucas Pouille’s London bid. The American was a 7-6(6) 6-3 victor over his French opponent and he will encounter Fernando Verdasco next. The veteran Spaniard bagged his second Top 10 win of the season by ousting Dominic Thiem 6-4 6-4.
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