Qualifier Krajinovic in Paris final

The Paris Masters 1000 final match up is something no one would ever have predicted.

Jack Sock, seeded 16, is potentially good enough to make the final, but let’s be truthful his path was cleared by:

Roger Federer withdrawing and Lucas Pouille (17) taking that place in the draw. Sock played Pouille in the second round instead of a likely more potent Swiss foe.

The dismissal of Marin Cilic (3) and David Goffin (7) by unseeded Julien Benneteau.

The ousting of Dominic Thiem (5) by unseeded Fernando Verdasco.

This meant that Sock avoided playing any seeds after he’d beaten Pouille.

He knocked over Verdasco in the quarters and Benneteau in the semis.

And who does he face in the final ? A qualifier !

Yes, Filip Krajinovic, given a walkover by Nadal in the quarters, defeated the big serving ninth seed, John Isner in the semis.

How Isner lost is a mystery - 31 aces, 85% of points won on first serve, five break points created on his opponents serve, only one on his.

It came down to break point conversion. Isner failed to convert any of his five chances, whereas Krajinovic snapped up his one opportunity.

With tie breaks shared, that meant exit for Isner, the scoreline 6-4 6-7(2) 7-6(5)

Krajinovic, by making the final, has jumped from 77 to 33 in the rankings. If he wins, 25 will be his spot.

A victory for Sock will rocket him into the top ten at 9, five better than his current career high, and placing him as the US number one.

With Djokovic and Murray losing lots of points, a number of players have moved up the rankings to career highs:

Alexander Zverev is number 3 (previous high 4)

Dominic Thiem is number 4 (6)

Grigor Dimitrov is number 6 (8)

David Goffin is number 8 (10)

Pablo Carreno Busta is number 9 (10) but will revert to 10 should Jack Sock win Paris

The Zhuhai final will be fought between Coco Vandeweghe and Julia Goerges, after both won in convincing style against Ash Barty and Anastasija Sevastova respectively.  

Each semi final was won 6-3 6-3, meaning Barty finishes the year ranked 17. Sevastova will finish 14 if Vandeweghe wins the title, 15 if Goerges prevails.

Goerges ends up 14 should she win, 16 if she loses.

Coco is number 10 whatever.