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Benoit Paire

162K views 847 replies 89 participants last post by  FlameOn 
#1 · (Edited)

I think Benoit deserves a thread.
He is just 20, has won several futures tournaments and is ranked 611th
He is playing RG qualies this week
1st round against Giovanni Lapentti and he won the first set 6/3
 
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#2 ·
Second ever against a top 200 :worship:
Final result 63 64. Net et sans bavure.
His next opponent will be either Smeets or Elgin who are far of being clay court specialists.
Good luck :wavey:
 
#3 ·
You need to post some pics, Renaud, the looks of the players are essential for the success of a thread on MTF, at least in the Frenchies subforum.

I don't know him at all, but each time I hear of him, the first reaction is that he is crazy! Headcase, very talented, favourite shot: dropshot and he tanked against Montcourt in Cherbourg, that's all I know about him.
 
#18 ·
Yea, a Paire thread :] I spotted his pic a while back on an "unknown French players" (sic) website and also thought he was younger than that.

the looks of the players are essential for the success of a thread on MTF, at least in the Frenchies subforum.
So true. I'm still amazed that Montcourt got a subforum of his own :p Benoit isn't bad either in the look department; still, he better backs it up with some results (or at least with a guest appearance in a trendy video clip haha)
 
#4 ·
He has the quote of the day today in L'Equipe:
Je suis quand même là pour m'amuser, mais bon, c'est vrai que quelquefois, il faudrait que j'arrête de faire des conneries.
I'm here to have fun, but well, it's true that I should sometimes cut down the rubbish.
 
#5 ·
Has he played any futures over in the states recently?, I feel like I have heard the name, maybe even seen him but im not sure. Pics would definitely help.
 
#6 ·

Benoit in 2007 after his very first win in a Future in Bourg-en-Bresse

Benoit (on the right) after his loss against Guillaume Rufin (guess where ) last year in the -18 championship.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I thought he was younger when people were talking of him as the next big French hope, TBH. 20 y., it's time to start delivering!

I just came across that:
http://www.rmc.fr/edito/sport/78883/paire-je-suis-un-cheval-fou/
Benoit Paire, 20 ans et 608e mondial, a un jeu brillant mais aussi un mental encore fragile, comme il nous l’explique : « J'ai un tempérament de cheval fou, je m'énerve beaucoup... Je tente pas mal de choses un peu risquées quelquefois et sous la pression ça peut donner un peu n’importe quoi. Le problème : c’est que si je me contente de remettre la balle, je m’ennuie. On joue au tennis pour s’amuser aussi, alors je préfère tenter des choses, des amorties, etc. Parfois c’est brillant, mais c’est aussi franchement nul quelquefois. Il y a un peu de tout et il faudrait que j’arrive à me canaliser pour ne garder que le meilleur et éviter de me mettre en danger inutilement. »
Always the same stuff, brilliant game, but a bit crazy. He says it himself, he easily gets all worked up on the court. He tries out a lot of risky shots and with the pressure, it sometimes turns into a big mess. "If I just keep the ball in play, I get bored. We play tennis to have fun too, so I prefer to try things, dropshots, etc. Sometimes it's brilliant, but sometimes, well, it's really hopeless. A bit of everything. I'd need to 'channel' myself to keep only the best and stop jeopardizing my chances unnecessarily."
 
#9 ·
I saw Benoit Paire last year when he met Nicolas Devilder at the 1st round of RG qualifications. Even if Devilder was at his top and should have had a wild card, I was disappointed by Benoit. Except a big serve, he had not special things to propose. What a difference this year!! Except the 3 first games, he was well inspired, showed aggressiv shots constantly, forehands, backhands... and what a gorgeous backhand! I spent the day at Roland and he made ones of the most beautifuls points of the day.
He just won the 1st set, I hope he'll keep this level, win this match and the next. :D
 
#10 · (Edited)
Does anyone know if he had MP today ??
Edit: I meant in the second set. :)
He saved 3 MP phew...
6*/5 in the third now. GSM !!
Well done Benoit :worship:
He beats Elgin 64 67 75.
Next opponent: Fognini.
 
#11 ·
Fognini-Paire, it has the potential to be a crazy match!




A big crowd for qualies matches (I was talking about that with Cyril, I find the tickets quite expensive - 18 €, that's about what I paid for the main draw in Madrid the first two days.)
 
#12 · (Edited)
L'Equipe today:


You've got your answer, Renaud, he did have a MP in the 2nd set!

A summary:
His coach Prigent says that he is destabilizing for everybody on a tennis court.
And off court too. He's a right-hander on the court and writes with the right hand, but is a leftie in football and in petanque.
He comes from Avignon (in the South of France) and is a huge OM fan.
Only ranked #608, but well-known in French tennis, especially for his crazy stories. One day he didn't want to go to a tournament. His coach insisted, Benoit took his 3 racquets, broke them and said: 'And now, are we still going?'
It doesn't mean he's impertinent, though. He just has character. And he's never scared.
Against Elgin for example. He was on the brink of the abyss in the 3rd set, facing 3 MP after having wasted a MP in the 2nd set. But he saved them with style, with a FH dropshot from the baseline and two S&V, won that game and the match. Standing ovation from the crowd. Elgin was disgusted and needed a cigarette after the match to settle his nerves.
Benoît is an outstanding player. Prigent: "He likes the game. He always wants to play a beautiful point. He has a very good serve, a beautiful two-handed BH and he's very clever at the net. But he has incredible ups and downs. The Jedi of Star Wars. For me he's like Luke Skywalker when he started. I need to take him over to the good side of the Force. The only difference is that his role isn't to save the world, but to make the most out of his potential... which is huge."
He's not mad, he just likes to tempt fate. "People must think I'm crazy. My philosophy: if I have to play a point, try to play a beautiful one, non? But I've calmed down. I'm better managed since I entered the CNE in November. The win over Elgins is my best memory so far, I had never played in front of so many people. I'm just one win away from the main draw. I'll have to beat Fognini now to keep my dream going. It's a big challenge, I know, but I prefer to play against a guy like him."
 
#13 ·
Wow Thanks !
I hope i can see him soon !
 
#16 ·
Hi, would someone help me out. I want to know how to pronounce Benoit's name. ;)
 
#26 ·
Thanks, but it wasn't his first name that I was having troubles with! ;) Anyone help with the pronunciation of 'Paire'? :)
 
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