First ATP Tour title for Benoit Paire at Swedish Open
Monday 27 July 2015 08:09, UK
Benoit Paire claimed the first ATP Tour title of his career by beating clay court specialist Tommy Robredo in straight sets to win the final of the Skistar Swedish Open in Bastad.
The world No 62 from France won 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 in 95 minutes to end his long wait for a tournament victory.
Paire, a two-time loser in ATP finals, won a tense first set in which the No 2 seeded Spaniard twice held set points in the tie-break – one of these on his own serve at 6-5.
The 26-year-old Paire took advantage by taking the opener on his first set point before holding his nerve in the second.
The only break of serve in the entire match arrived in the sixth game of the second set, as Paire crossed the finishing line by serving out to 15 against the world No 21 – firing down an ace on match point.
During his run to the title, Paire defeated four higher-ranked players including top seed David Goffin of Belgium and defending champion Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay.
His victory will now move him into the world’s top 30 when the latest rankings are published on Monday.
Paire said: "I wanted to try to play my game all the time. I told myself ‘It's windy today but I have to stay focused and to be aggressive like I was during the entire tournament’.
"That's why I think I won today. I wanted the title a lot."
Robredo, 33, had gone into the match as the clear favourite having won 11 of his 12 ATP career titles on clay.
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