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Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (November - Mouilleron-le-Captif)

16K views 196 replies 13 participants last post by  DBR 
#1 · (Edited)
He played good in set 2 VS Murray, some classic Benoit shots. Just too many errors though, but we can blame that on rust perhaps? Anyway, encouraging start. I thought after he was so bad in set 1 it would be a short day but he made a match of it in the end :).
Yes, I agree. Some encouraging signs. He had the trainer out early in the 1st set for his right foot - his toes or something near the front of the foot seemed to be bothering him - but the problem didn't last long, so hopefully it's nothing.

He played better as the match went on, just a shame at the end to play a loose game of errors and get broken at 5-5 in the 2nd. But so great to see him back playing again. :cheerleader:

And he was happy too. :) "Very happy to be back on the court!"

paire benoit @benoitpaire
Super content d'être de retour sur le terrain!! Ça fait plaisir et du bien à la tête!! Bravo @andy_murray et maintenant ALLEZ @alizecornet
EDIT: They lost against GB 2-1 in Hopman Cup, after losing the mixed doubles against Murray/ Watson 6-4 2-6 10-8. :sad: France still have Poland and Australia to play.
 
#2 · (Edited)
#3 ·
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (January - Aus Open Qualies)

He lost 6-0, 6-4. :sad: :hug:
 
#4 ·
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (January - Aus Open Qualies)

It's not good news to lose like that and not great to say he find Ymer quite bad :rolleyes:

PAIRE EN MANQUE

Mais s'il fallait en désigner un pour aller au tableau effectuer l'exposé sur la frustration, alors Benoît Paire était le client idéal. O.K., Elias Ymer est un joueur suédois d'origine éthiopienne au tennis plutôt très propre. O.K., il s'entraîne au sein de l'académie de Magnus Norman et ça ne peut pas faire de mal. O.K., il a franchi un tour à Chennai la semaine dernière. Mais il reste, à dix-huit ans, un joueur très tendre, 212e mondial, contre lequel Paire ne peut décemment pas se retrouver mené 6-0, 2-0 comme ce fut le cas hier en fin d'après-midi. « Surtout face à un adversaire que je n'ai pas trouvé très bon, insista d'ailleurs le Français, finalement battu 6-0, 6-4. Mais pour mon premier match depuis longtemps (il avait disputé quelques parties correctes à la Hopman Cup la semaine passée, mais dans des conditions de jeu moins officielles), je n'ai vraiment pas montré de bonnes choses. Bien sûr que je ne m'attendais pas à enchaîner qualifié-quarts ici. Bien sûr que ça fait partie du jeu mais je suis très déçu. Ça va être une année compliquée. »

Il y a un an, Paire était le numéro 4 du tennis français et le numéro 24 du classement mondial. Un an, c'est long, surtout quand on a un genou qui pèse une tonne et vous empêche d'avancer pendant des mois… L'Avignonnais sait déjà qu'il sera 160e au lendemain de cet Open d'Australie. « Il a pris une grosse claque dans la gueule, résumait son coach, Lionel Zimbler. Maintenant il faut vraiment qu'il retrouve 100 % de son corps. Son genou, ça va à peu près, même si c'est un jour oui, un jour non. Mais psychologiquement, il a encore très peur de le solliciter. » Lui aussi aurait bien besoin d'une éclaircie.

JULIEN REBOULLET
 

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#6 · (Edited)
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (January - Aus Open Qualies)

It's not good news to lose like that and not great to say he find Ymer quite bad :rolleyes:
No, that seems like Ben's own frustration at losing. It's good for Ymer that he had a decent run at AO.

he's playing a future in France this week. His knee problems are not behind him he had again some pain in Australia
As soulage mentioned, Ben is now playing Bressuire, trying to build confidence in his game and his knee.

Mark Nixon @markalannixon · Jan 15
Lionel Zimbler, Benoit Paire's coach, in l'Équipe: "His knee is almost there, even if it's one day yes, one day no. But mentally he's afraid to really test it."

Hopefully the knee is not getting any worse.

Thanks to Somby for the Bressuire Futures results:

R1: Benoit PAIRE (FRA) [1] d. 6-3 6-4 Medy CHETTAR (FRA)

R2: Benoit PAIRE (FRA) [1] d. 6-4 6-4 Purav RAJA (IND)

EDIT: QF Benoit PAIRE (FRA) [1] d. 7-6(7) 4-6 2-0 Retired Laurent ROCHETTE (FRA)

EDIT: SF Benoit PAIRE (FRA) [1] d. 6-4 6-4 Hugo NYS (FRA)

Ben plays Texeira in the final on Sunday. :)
 
#7 ·
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (January - Bressuire Futures)

Crazy scoreline, but Ben has won the Bressuire Futures event today, beating Texeira 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 :cheerleader:

Hopefully this will give him some faith in his knee and a big confidence boost. He's won 5 matches this week. Allez! :)
 
#8 ·
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (January - Montpellier)

Ben has been given a WC to Montpellier next week. :) Allez!!! :)
 
#9 ·
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (January - Montpellier)

Ben got straight into the Montpellier main draw because of withdrawals to Benneteau and others. He plays qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili in R1 tomorrow (Tuesday), last match on centre court. Hopefully his knee will be ok. Allez! :)


Web source: https://twitter.com/LeNouveauMtp/status/562321276677935104/photo/1 (Twitter: @LeNouveauMtp)
 
#10 ·
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (February - Montpellier)

Yay, Ben beat Basilashvili 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 :cheerleader: ... his 1st win on the main ATP tour since the US Open against Benneteau last year.

He was too passive in the 1st set, but Basilashvili had a shocking game to start the 2nd set and Ben broke straight away. Ben played better as the match went on, and was 3-0 up with a double break in the 3rd but made a couple of errors and Basilashvili played a couple of good points and got one break back.

Ben had a MP on Basilashvili's serve at 3*-5 but was just a bit too aggressive on his return and missed it. He then served it out on his 3rd MP. His mum was there and she looked very happy. :) Lionel was there too.

The only negative was that Ben got treatment on his right thigh from the physio at the end of the 2nd set, and then a couple of times in the 3rd set. Seemed to be getting massage on it. And of course, he's still wearing the strapping on his left knee but his movement was good.

He plays Jerzy Janowicz tomorrow (Wednesday) night. Allez! :)
 
#12 ·
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (February - Montpellier)

Ben was close to having a good win over Janowicz but it was not to be. He lost 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. :sad:

Ben started slow again, and Jerzy played well in the 1st set, but was a bit more patchy after that. Ben improved and took the 2nd set. He went a break up early in the 3rd, but Janowicz broke straight back.

Ben faced 2 BP's in the 7th game, and saved the 1st one with an ace, but was broken when he hit a backhand long... and smashed his racquet. He then had a BP when Janowicz served for it, 5-3 up, but Jerzy hit an ace on his 2nd serve to save it. Ben was very upset as thought the serve was wide, but the umpire wouldn't get involved or over-rule, and there was no hawkeye. Hard to tell if it was in or out, but there were a few dodgy calls in this match and the umpire just went with the line judges every time. With a couple more aces in the last game, Janowicz won the match. Ben was very unhappy as he left the court, still arguing with the umpire.

But he showed good fight to take this to 3 sets, and is already on his way to Italy where he will play the Bergamo Challenger. Allez! :)

‏@benoitpaire
Defeat in the 2nd round but encouraging tournament for the future! Going to Bergamo! #Italie #challenger #qualif #allez

‏@benoitpaire
Défaite au deuxième tour mais tournoi encourageant pour la suite!! Direction Bergamo!! #Italie #challenger #qualif #allez

Web source: http://instagram.com/p/yu-Vh3KFoP/ (instagram: @benpaire)
 
#14 · (Edited)
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (February - Bergamo)

Bergamo Challenger R1 - Ben beat Jan Mertl yesterday in a close 3 set match, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. :cheerleader:

1st time I've seen Mertl, and he serves and plays well, and hits consistently deep. Ben was out-ralleyed a lot in the 1st set, winning only 25% of his own 2nd serve points, and not much more on Mertl's 2nd serve points. He was broken in the 5th game, and Mertl held from then on to win the set. There was a lot of muttering from Ben and screams at himself, but was more focussed and turned it around well in the 2nd set.

He missed out on a few BP chances, then at 4-4, Ben serving, Mertl was aggressive and forced errors to get 2 BP's. Ben hit a great backhand winner down the line to save the 1st and then served his way out of trouble to win the game and lead 5-4. He also saved 3 more BP's in the 11th game. Ben then had 3 set points at 6-5, Mertl serving, but Mertl played well to get it back to deuce. But Ben hit a fantastic return, and then a wonderful forehand into the top right corner to win the next 2 points and the set, 7-5.

In the 3rd set, Ben was a lot more solid on serve, hardly losing any points behind his 1st serve, and only a few on his 2nd. He never looked like being broken. He had a break point he couldn't convert early in the set, but was very aggressive to break to win the 10th game, and take the match.

It was good to see him work hard and grind out a win even when things were going against him in that 1st set. And for the 1st time I can remember in ages he wasn't wearing a strapping on his left knee. Hopefully that is a good sign. He plays Ilja Bozoljac in R2 tomorrow (Wednesday). Allez! :)


Web source: http://www.atpbergamo.com/Pages/Contents/News?id=6780#.VNoOeJ2sUbQ
 
#16 · (Edited)
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (February - Bergamo)

Another very good win for Ben yesterday, beating Bozoljac 6-7, 7-6, 6-3. :cheerleader:

I'm guessing Bozoljac does not play like this all the time or else his ranking would be a lot higher, but he served great and hit some tremendous backhands. The 1st set was very tight but Ben played aggressive in the TB to get a 5-3 lead, with one more serve to go. Then controversy... there was a great rally where Bozoljac was very aggressive and Ben defended really well, and hit a defensive shot which looked like his spectacular get had landed on the baseline. But the ball was called out. I only saw it once - no replays or hawkeye or anything - but it was the bottom baseline nearest the camera, and it really looked to me like Ben's ball caught the line. Ben was not happy at all, 5-4. Then Bozoljac hit a huge serve and an ace to lead 6-5, and Ben lost the set with a wild backhand, and his racquet went flying.

Ben argued with the umpire over the change of ends, and things did not look good. But credit to Ben, he got himself focussed again and got on with the 2nd set. He had 2 BP chances in the 1st game but couldn't convert. Ben then saved 2 BP's with 2 back-to-back aces in the 8th game. So it went to another close TB, and at 4 points all, Bozoljac served a DF. Ben won his 2 serve points and let out a huge "Allez" when he won the set, 7 points to 4.

Onto the 3rd set, and Ben had to save 2 BP's in the 1st game, one with a great serve & volley, and one with an ace out wide. :yeah: Ben then saved 4 BP's in the 7th game, which he did with real style: a great get off a very deep awkward return, which forced an error from Bozoljac/ a stunning FH down the line followed up with a really super drop shot/ a great serve down the middle/ and an ace. :bowdown:

Then in the 8th game, Ben played really aggressive and returned well to get a BP - but he hit a BH UE in the rally and it was gone. But he kept fighting and after a couple more deuces, Bozoljac made a mistake and smashed into the net. Then Ben hit a very deceptive FH passing shot, which Bozoljac left thinking it was going long, but the spin kept it in! Break for 5-3! Ben stayed aggressive and served out the match. :cheerleader:

And again there was no strapping on his left knee. :D These last 2 matches have been tough - this one was just short of 2 hours - but I think they will really help build his confidence. He is fighting hard and turning matches around, staying aggressive and finding ways to win, even when he is not always playing his best. And he has been mentally very solid. It's encouraging that he's still able to be clutch, even when he's upset about line-calls etc.

He also played a doubles match with Pouille yesterday, a couple of hours later. They won, so hopefully this is a really good sign that Ben's knee is finally getting better. :)
 
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#18 ·
#19 ·
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (February - Bergamo)

Another solid win for Ben in the QF yesterday, 6-4, 6-4 over Dustov, in only 1 hour and 13 minutes! :cheerleader:

He returned well to break and go 3-2 up in the 1st set , and then showboated through a love service game hold, with some great backhands, a very cheeky drop shot, a FH passing shot and an Ace!

At 4-3 up, Ben serving, 30-30, there was a strange point which I think was a bad bounce and Ben hit an airshot, which drew gasps from the crowd. BP... which in his new clutch style, he saved with an ace. :yeah: Then he double faulted to give another BP :no: There was a great rally where Dustov was aggressive and Ben defended really well, and Dustov ended up falling at the net. It didn't look that bad (only saw it once, no replay or close-up etc) but Dustov needed a medical time out, which went on for quite a few minutes. Ben was keen to get going again, but kept the crowd entertained with his footy skills and a tennis ball!

When they started again - still deuce on Ben's serve - Dustov hit a great return to earn another BP, which Ben saved with a great serve down the middle. After another deuce, Ben hit a great FH winner, and then an ace to win the game, 5-3.

Ben then returned really well to get 3 BP's, 0-40 on Dustov's serve, but with a couple of errors from Ben and good serving, Dustov held serve. Ben was really keen to serve out the set, and was out of his chair very early to play. Dustov waited until time was called and then some, then walked slowly around the whole outside of the court to get to his return position. :rolleyes:

Dustov hit a great return and Ben made an error and suddenly it was 0-30. But Ben hit an ace out wide, then big serves all the way to win the game and the set, 6-4. :cheerleader:

It all went on serve in the 2nd set, until 3-3 deuce, Dustov serving. Ben hit a deep return and followed with a great forehand into the top corner, to earn a BP. And then he defended really well, running from side to side to get balls back, before hitting a FH passing shot down the line for the break, and letting out a huge "Allez". They both held serve the next 2 games, and Ben served for it at 5-4 up. Again he served out to love - a terrific 1-2 with a BH winner cross court/ an ace/ Dustov's return went wide/ and an ace to finish. :bowdown:

It's really wonderful to see him playing with so much confidence and serving out to love. His serve seems very solid at the moment - getting him out of trouble at crucial moments in all the matches I've seen this week - and he's returning very well.

He plays the SF tonight against Jurgen Zopp (who beat Lucas Pouille). Allez Ben! :)

(He also got a WC to Marseille and plays PHM in R1.)
 
#21 ·
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (February - Bergamo)

^^^ you're welcome. I think things are finally getting better for him. Since his loss to Ymer in Aus open qualies he has a 9:1 win:loss record (across all levels) and he pushed Janowicz in that loss. No matter what happens today, Ben is definitely growing in confidence. The key will be trying to keep that momentum going at ATP main tour level. PHM is a tricky R1 in Marseille next week, but it will be a good test for Ben.
 
#22 ·
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (February - Bergamo)

Hooray, into the Bergamo final! :D
 
#23 · (Edited)
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (February - Bergamo)

Another really solid match, beating Zopp 6-4, 6-4 in just under an hour. :cheerleader:

He served 17 aces and had great stats on serve: 70% 1st serve in, won 91% of those + 60% of 2nd serve. He only faced one BP all match and saved it with an ace. :yeah: Return stats were solid too, although he seemed to make a few more UE's in this match, but it didn't matter because he was never really under much pressure. He converted 4 out of the 6 BP's he had. To set up BP at the end of the 2nd set, he made a fantastic running forehand get and hit it cross court for a stunning winner. When he's making shots like that on his forehand you know he is feeling good! Oh, and he served out to love again to win the match: serve and volley winner/ unreturnable serve/ ace/ ace :D

He now plays Nedovyesov in today's final. Allez Ben! :)
 
#26 · (Edited)
Re: Ben's Hard Court Season 2015 (February - Bergamo)

Yes! He won, beating Nedovyesov, 6-3, 7-6 :cheerleader:


Source: https://twitter.com/marcocaldara/status/567023596737155073/photo/1(Twitter: @marcocaldara)

Lucia ‏@LuciLuci_RF
Benoit's speech was :lol:!
I'd like to say "See you next year", but I hope I will be in Rotterdam!
This was a full-on final with anthems, processions and everything, before the match. :scared: Ben hit some great returns to get 3 BP's in the 4th game, and Nedovyesov hit a DF, so 3-1 to Ben. He flew through the 1st set - he was 4-1 up in just 11 minutes, and won it 6-3, in 21 minutes. :bowdown:

In set 2 Nedovyesov served better, and held serve more easily. Ben had to save a BP in the 2nd game, and hit an ace. :yeah: He made a few more UE's than he has most of the week, especially on the forehand side, but he maybe had a few more nerves today with the title at stake. There were a lot of serve winners from both guys, but also a few wonderful points - the best was probably Ben serving *2-3 down, and 15-30 down in the 2nd set. In a great rally, Ben hit an amazing defensive lob, which somehow Nedovyesov chased down and got back, then Ben hit a good smash, Nedovyesov hit a strong forehand off it, and Ben picked it off at the net with a stunning FH drop volley winner. :worship:

It went to a TB in the 2nd set, and both guys showed a little nerves by double faulting - Nedovyesov in the 1st point, and Ben when he was serving 4-2 up. So it was 4-3 on Nedovyesov's serve and Ben's forehand hadn't been as reliable as on previous days this week. 1st point, Nedovyesov serves and Ben clatters a forehand return winner down the line. :eek: 5-3. Next point, Ben wallops a forehand winner down the line. :eek: :eek: 6-3, and 3 MP's. So Ben serves, Nedovyesov returns ... and Ben whacks a forehand winner down the line. :bowdown: GSM

Just a brilliant finish from him, and an amazing week. :aparty: He plays PHM R1 Marseille next week, and if he gets through that he will play Wawrinka. Allez!!! :)

Trophy ceremony in #Bergamo:
@benoitpaire being presented his trophy, his cheque, some gadgets...and a scooter!

Source: https://twitter.com/LuciLuci_RF/status/567034230275063810/photo/1 (Twitter @LuciLuci_RF)
 
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