By Erik Gudris | Sunday, July 26, 2015
Benoit Paire used power and his favorite drop shots to win his first ever ATP title at the Skistar Swedish Open.
Photo Credit:Skistar Swedish Open/Fredric Berggren
France's Benoit Paire has been described as talented, mercurial, and, sometimes, confounding. But now there's a new adjective to add to the list - ATP Tour champion.
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Paire won his maiden ATP Tour title at the Skistar Swedish Open in Bastad, Sweden. The current World No. 62 enjoyed a breakthrough week leading into Sunday's final that included upsetting No. 1 seed David Goffin.
Spain's Tommy Robredo entered the final hoping to take his third trophy at the tournament having won previously in 2006 and 2008.
Cool, windy conditions made things difficult for both men in the first set. Level at 5-all, Paire missed out on earlier chances to break the No. 2 seed Robredo and soon a tiebreak was needed.
Robredo found himself with two set points in the tiebreak but Paire would save both. The Frenchman, then holding a set point of his own, threw in one of his trademark perfect drop shots to claim the set 7-6 (7).
If Paire was feeling any nerves at closing out his first ever ATP title, he never showed them. Using a mix of powerful groundstrokes and more drop shots, Paire kept Robredo at bay throughout the second set.
Robredo's service game while down 2-3 proved key for both men. The sixth game turned into an extended battle with multiple deuces. Finally, Paire converted on a break point with an aggressive return that caused Robredo to send his forehand into the net.
Paire held onto his advantage and soon served for the title up 5-3. With casual intensity, Paire showed no let up as he struck an ace out wide to create match point. Paire hit another self-assured ace to finish off his winning week 7-6(7), 6-3.
"I feel very good. For me it was a perfect week. It was not easy but I am really happy to win against Tommy. He's a very good player," Paire said. "To beat him in a final is a dream and I want to congratulate him as well."
Paire now joins a growing list of first-time winners this season on the ATP Tour that includes Jiri Vesely (Auckland), Victor Estrella Burgos (Quito), Jack Sock (Houston), Dominic Thiem (Nice) and Denis Istomin (Nottingham).