Del Potro can end Isner's hopes of a return to Bercy final

WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai
BT Sport 1, from 7am Friday
ATP Paris Masters
Sky Arena, 10am Friday

The talk of the town is whether Julien Benneteau could finally nab a maiden ATP main-tour title in the Paris Masters, but for those betting on the quarters-finals it is worth backing Juan Martin del Potro in his clash with John Isner.

Beanpole Isner may be artificially short after reaching the final of the Paris-Bercy tournament last year, when only Andy Murray was his superior. But there are similarities between the Scot's stunning run at the end of 2016 and what Del Potro is trying to achieve 12 months on.

The Argentinian retained his Stockholm crown recently and is on a determined charge in a bid to clinch a late entry into the ATP Finals in London later this month.

The signs are that Delpo is getting better indoors, although he would do well to respect Isner, who showed terrific character to fight back in the final set and thwart Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 5-7 7-6 on Thursday.

Benneteau, a 150-1 shot pre-tournament who has said he is competing in his last Paris Masters, has seen off Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Goffin and will meet the winner of Roberto Bautista Agut and Marin Cilic.

However, the way the veteran Frenchman is performing, whoever he meets should fear Benneteau's chances of posting another upset.

It's the final day of round-robin action in the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai and Julia Goerges, who meets struggling top seed Kristina Mladenovic, is a warm favourite to nab the final semi-final berth in China.

Recommendation
J M del Potro
1pt 8-15 Coral

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