Filip Krajinovic defeated John Isner to reach the Paris Masters final with an accomplished display to end the American’s hopes of reaching the season-ending ATP Finals in dramatic fashion.
Isner, who reached the final in the French capital last year, was unable to build upon his quarter-final victory over the in-form Juan Martin del Potro and maintain his hopes of featuring in the eight-man field in London.
Krajinovic, who has progressed through the field as a qualifier, produced high-level tennis which belied his relative inexperience at Masters 1000 level to claim a 6-4 6-7(2) 7-6(5) win in two hours and twenty-eight minutes.
Isner, the world No 14, started the encounter as the favourite and had three break points in Krajinovic's opening service game to claim an early break but the Serbian recovered his composure to hold serve.
The first break of the match came in the fifth game of the encounter to see Krajinovic, the world No 77, move 3-2 ahead as a visibly lacklustre Isner struggled from the back of the court.
Krajinovic, who only lost six points on serve in the first set, gained in confidence as the first set by holding serve with relative ease before closing out the opener with a love service hold.
The second set saw Isner regain some measure of control behind his serve but was relieved to see the Serbian miss a gilt-edged volley which would have brought up a break point at 2-2.
Krajinovic, in his first encounter against the American, maintained his concentration to take the second set into a tiebreak which Isner took control of by taking both of the Serbian's service points before closing out with successive aces.
The Serbian's opening service of the deciding set lasted 11 minutes but despite facing a break point he held firm to hold serve before both players dominated behind their serve - Isner won 23 out of 24 points at one stage.
The decider went to a tiebreak and it was Isner who immediately stole a march by securing a mini-break advantage but Krajinovic recovered to move 5-4 ahead before bringing up match point with a vicious dipping forehand which Isner was unable to control.
The 25-year-old Serbian made no mistake to become the first qualifier to reach the final in Paris since Jerzy Janowicz in 2012 and will next meet American Jack Sock, who can qualify for the ATP Finals by claiming the Paris title.
Krajinovic's delight
"It's an unbelievable feeling," Krajinovic told Sky Sports. "I didn't expect that I would get all the way to the final. Now I can play the final tomorrow [Sunday] with nothing to lose. I think I am the happiest guy right now. For sure I am going to take it easy now and be ready for tomorrow.
"I knew I had to stay calm because his biggest weapon is the serve and I knew he was going to hit a lot of aces but at 5-5 (in the final set tiebreak) I risked to go the forehand side and I made it.
"My goal this year was to play a lot of challengers so that I can play next year with the big guys. To be honest I didn't expect it to go this quick but I know I have the game. I have started to believe in myself a lot more and here I am in a final."
Expert verdict
What's next?
Isner walked off the court in Paris in the knowledge that he was waving goodbye to the season. The big-serving American remains without a victory at Masters 1000 and 500 level.
Meanwhile, Krajinovic, who has enjoyed a successful campaign on the Challenger Tour this season will aim to pick up a maiden tour title tomorrow and can look forward to many more Masters level appearances next year thanks to his breakthrough tournament performance.
Next week the NextGen Finals in Milan take centre stage while the eight qualifiers for London will have a well-deserved break before the ATP Finals get underway next Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
The season-ending extravaganza ATP Finals at London's O2 this November ends another memorable year.
All the action will be covered via our website sky.mnosports.com/tennis with live blogs, reports and expert analysis as the season reaches its climax.
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