Dubai (AFP)
Benoit Paire, 21st player in the world, finally offered himself Marin Cilic (36th), beating the Croatian in three sets 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/1) in the first round of the ATP tournament in Dubäi on Tuesday.
The French N.2 took their revenge on the second round of the Australian Open (beaten in 5 sets), ending a series of five defeats against the winner of the 2014 US Open.
Paire will find Richard Gasquet in the second round, thus ensuring a French presence in the quarterfinals.
The 30-year-old Avignon native confirms the "sensations" he mentioned on Wednesday after his elimination in the second round in Marseille against the Kazakh Alexander Bublik.
Led entry 3-0, Paire could only give up the first run. He gave himself back hope by starting the second with an entry break, an advantage that he defended tooth and nail to equalize a round everywhere.
After an exchange of services, Paire missed several opportunities to gain a clear advantage over a tired opponent, but had to wait until the tie-break to conclude the game.
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