US Open 2021 – Benoît Paire released in the 1st round by Dusan Lajovic after a disjointed match

Flushing Meadows was entitled to the great Benoit Paire in the attitude, less in the level of play. If he was not unworthy, especially in view of his situation a few months ago, the French (49th in the world) fell on a bone on Monday in the first round of the US Open against Dusan Lajovic (number 40 at ATP). A defeat in four sets for Paire (6-3, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4), who leaves New York while his performances in recent weeks foreshadowed a longer American adventure.

It did not take long to witness the first throws of balls and racket from Celio’s new muse. Already in the first set, the frustration emanating from the Habs matched perfectly with a kind of nonchalance too often linked to the Avignon. But pushed by a small cohort of French supporters, Benoit Paire recovered.

Pair has (again) cracked

After almost succeeding in snatching the second round, he finally materialized his increase in level of play in the third act by winning it with the manner (6-2). A final standoff at 3-3 in the fourth set got the better of the hopes of the Frenchman, who was broken, who was then unable to do anything to achieve an unexpected comeback, despite statistics which reflect a tighter match than the score suggests: 15 aces for Pair, twice as many winning points as his opponent (56 against 26) and 80% of points won behind his first ball.

Paradoxically, the renewed energy (and concentration) of the Frenchman came at the end of the second set, following a spat with the referee, about spectators, according to him, too little discreet during the points. . Scandalized, Benoit Paire first attacked the parasol which sheltered his bench, receiving on this occasion a penalty point, before opting for a very flowery language towards the spectator at the origin of the nervousness. of the former 18th world player.