Benoit Paire was capable of scoring notable wins while playing his best tennis. The 35-year-old did not bring that performance to the Open Blot Rennes Challenger, falling to Jacob Fearnley 6-1, 6-0 in 37 minutes in the first round! The crowd did not like the level provided by the former top-20 player, booing him following the final point. Paire did not seem to care too much, sending kisses to them and embracing a friendly handshake with Fearnley. The Briton served at 43%, which no one noticed! The 8th seed dropped six points in his games, facing no break points and keeping the pressure on the other side. The Frenchman could not follow that pace, losing 63% of the points in his games and getting broken six times from nine chances offered to his opponent. The veteran sprayed a forehand error in the opening game of the encounter, facing three break points.
Benoit Paire, 2024 Rennes Challenger© Stream screenshot
Benoit Paire took one game against Jacob Fearnley in Rennes.
The Briton converted the second, delivering a break and moving in front. Fearnley caused Paire’s mistake in the second game, holding and cementing the advantage. Benoit played his best game at 0-2, painting a forehand crosscourt winner for a hold at love, reducing the deficit before dropping every game for the rest of the clash! Jacob closed the fourth game with a smash winner at the net and made another push on the return in the next one. The 8th seed landed a lob winner, delivering a break at 15 and forging a 4-1 lead. The former College tennis star grabbed the sixth game with an ace down the T line, forcing his rival to serve to stay in the set.
Benoit Paire & Jacob Fearnley, 2024 Rennes Challenger© Stream screenshot
Paire played another loose service game, getting broken at 30 after Fearnley’s return winner, allowing his rival to wrap up the opener in 19 minutes. The better-ranked player held at love in the first game of the second set and stole the rival’s serve at 30 a few minutes later, extending his streak and marching toward the top. Jacob held at 15 in the third game following Benoit’s wayward forehand and secured another break in the next one after the Frenchman’s poor drive drop shot attempt. Jacob provided another comfortable hold in the fifth game, moving 5-0 in front and seeking a bagel on the return. Paire wasted a game point after a double fault and lost serve after another, dropping ten straight games and allowing Fearnley to seal the deal in no time.