MADRID: France’s Benoit Paire has ended his seven-match losing streak against top-10 players after stunning third seed Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, in the second round at the Madrid Open.
The animated Frenchman wasn’t afraid to engage in a series of heated confrontations with the match umpire, but let his tennis do the talking by firing 41 winners past the US Open champion. Paire feared his golden opportunity was gone after Wawrinka capitalized on some erratic play to force the proceedings into a decider. Still, it failed to deter the unseeded player, who was the more powerful and consistent of the two throughout.
“I’m happy because today I won. I had a good match.” Said Paire.
Half way through the match, play was halted as the rain poured down on court Manolo Santana. The break attributed towards Wawrink’a short-lived revival, but failed to phrase Paire. It was his maiden experienced of playing under a roof the Caja Magica.
“It was a little bit tough with the roof at the beginning. I haven’t played with the roof over the center court before. It was the first time for me and it was a bit different. With or without (the roof) I didn’t care. I just wanted to win.”
The success in Madrid occurs during what Paire described as his ‘birthday week.’ On Monday the Frenchman celebrated turning 29 by having a meal with his girlfriend. Continuing his celebrations by reaching the third round in Madrid for the first time in his career, Paire is hoping to reach the last eight of a Masters tournament for only the second time in his career.
“It’s the week of my birthday and I hope it is going to be a good week. For the moment it’s good work, I won my first two matches.” He explained. “I want to do better for the next one and we will see what happens.”
Standing in his way is world No.27 Pablo Cuevas, who defeated Nicolas Mahut on Thursday. The Uruguayan has already claimed a ATP title on the clay this season at the Brasil Open.
“Playing Cuevas is never easy.” paire admitted. “He is a good player. I played him three or four times and I have won all of them. We will see what happens tomorrow. Every time is a new start. He plays good on clay, it’s his best surface, I am going to do my best and try to play my game like today (Wednesday).”
Paire is the only French player left in the men’s draw after six of his compatriots suffered defeats earlier this week.
Zverev outlasts Marin Cilic
Elsewhere in Madrid, Germany’s Alexander Zverev required more than two-and-a-half hours to defeat Marin Cilic 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4. The marathon victory has rewarded the 20-year-old with his first top-10 scalp on the clay and his third consecutive win over Cilic
“It was a high level match. I think we both are in very good form. We both won a title last week. It was a great match and I think he played very well. I played well as well.” He said.
Zverev is on a six-match winning streak after winning the Munich Open last week. He will play Thomas Berdych in the last sixteen in Madrid.
