French hero Julien Benneteau stunned Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 to advance to the semifinals at the Paris Rolex Masters in front of his enthusiastic fans, who packed the Accorhotels Arena in Paris Bercy. Benneteau is continuing his dream week in the home tournament in which he reached the second Masters 1000 semifinal of his career and his first at this level since Cincinnati 2014.
The 35-year-old French player won the 2014 Roland Garros doubles title, but has never won a ATP Tour singles trophy in his ten finals played during his career. He will play the semifinal against either Jack Sock or Fernando Verdasco.
Benneteau beat Cilic for the first time in their four head-to-head matches and won a match against a top 10 player since Shanghai 2014.
Benneteau drew the first blood breaking serve in the third game to take a 2-1 lead but Cilic broke straight back at deuce for 2-2. Cilic broke serve at 30 in the sixth game for 4-2. Benneteau saved a set point in the ninth game before breaking back at deuce for 4-5. Benneteau sealed the tie-break when Cilic made a double fault on the match point at 6-5.
Benneteau went up a set and a break in the second game of the second set. Cilic broke straight back in the third game for 1-2. Benneteau saved a break point to hold his serve for 5-4. Cilic held his serve to love, as he was serving to stay in the match.
As Cilic was serving to stay in the match at 5-6, Benneteau earned two match points. Cilic saved the first opportunity but Benneteau hit an inside-out forehand to convert his second break point to the delight of the enthusiastic French fans. Bennetueau threw his to the ground and burst into tears.
Benneteau provided one of the biggest stories of this week, as he reached the second Masters 1000 semifinal of his career as a wild-card in his last appearance in Paris Bercy after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, David Goffin and Marin Cilic. He has become the first French player to reach the semifinals in Paris Bercy since Michael Llodra in 2012.
“It was the biggest emotion in my life on a tennis court after two difficult years. I have boosted my confidence in the past weeks. It’s my last tournament in Paris Bercy and I had nothing to lose. Paris Bercy is the best indoor arena in France. The crowd is close to the court and made the atmosphere special. I had stong emotions”, said Benneteau.
