- Benoit Paire is playing Newport for the first time at age 35. He’s ranked 227 now, well below his career high of 18. Today he’s playing American Zachary Svajda, age 21, ranked 113, his highest ranking.
- Paire and Svajda stopped yesterday one set each due to darkness. Paire is an outstanding player and renowned character. I focus on him to study his eccentricity. He is a casual. There’s no grunting, no wristbands, no rituals, no celebrating. He may touch his face or shirt here or there. He belts a winner or an error, same reaction. On to the next point. Ahead in the third set vs Svajda 31 he netted two drop shots, looked at strings. Next point. He is so casual he seems almost bored. 15-40 a backhand then forehand winner for deuce, no reaction. Forehand slice long. Backhand into net 32.
- He sits down crosses leg, each changeover alternates leg. Towels off and drinks a can of Dasani water left in sun on ledge of bench sitting in sun. He does walk out early to serve ten seconds before umpire calls time… backhand approach in net, running forehand in net, love 30. Forehand long love 40. Serve volley backhand winner, two handed too. Big forehand winner in corner, towel. Serve volley but nets forehand. No reaction, taps ball in pocket to ball girl 33.
- His casual strut between points is robotic. Poor drop shots gets him passed and holds arms half up asking himself like what are you doing? Break point. Towel. The symphony of strokes continues. Forehand miss by 8 ft on second serve. Forehand cross court return winner. Break point again. Forehand return strike hits cord, he cackles some quick rooster scream. Backhand return winner. Forehand winner up line. A fist pump by Paire. 43.
- Changeover … no crossed legs this time. Three sips of water. Early for serve, adjusts collar…double fault. forehand long love 30. Serve volley two handed backhand winner. Ace. Towel to face. Serve volley two hand backhand winner again…4030. Return wide..fist pump while casual walking. 53… Missed backhand return wide. Missed drop. Forehand return in net. 54. Legs crossed. New can water from his fridge connected to bench, no special electrolyte drinks. Racquet in sun to dry grip. Five seconds early this time. Svajda pass off line from Paire but Paire misses volley. Overhead winner 15 all. Backhand wide. Ace. 30 all. Quick towel touch to face. Double fault. Backhand good… backhand volley in net. Netted backhand 55. No reaction… Svajda holds at love 65. Paire is early again, shakes head, words with coach behind him. He’s lost six points in a row….drop shot winner…double fault… ace. Pass winner for 30-30. Service winner. ace. 66…no sense of who will win. Ae. service winner 21 for Paire… Svajda forehand pass, Paire holds face with one hand in agony. Paire backhand winner 33…service winner down tee 43 Paire. 44 forehand long by Paire. High backhand volley winner 54 Paire who apologizes for earlier net cord by holding up his Babolat. Service winner 64. Towel touch. Service winner to win the match. No reaction probably because Svajda learned his dad learned days ago about serious health issues. They shakes hands, thumbs up to coach. Paire strolls around absorbing applause but there’s a sense he doesn’t want it…
- Interview with Blair Henley on court after quick face time call with daughter… Paire is friendly but you can tell he wants to go. “Just happy to win some matches..see you tomorrow”..But Blair asks about his tattoo collection and he shows one.
- After match I do biofile with Paire in interview zone. Paire also takes questions from some sort of fashion reporter who later in the press room says, “I want to do a real interview with Benoit, he’s cool.”
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