Marcel Granollers pink slips Benoit Paire in 2nd round – Mercedes Cup 2011
TC Weissenhof Court in Stuttgart was proving to be a history up setter as the fans had seen sensational matches and mouth openers. With players leading to the third round, Marcel Granollers played his match against the Frenchman
Benoit Paire. The Mercedes Cup 2011 had a fiery match as the Spaniard collided with Frenchman for their position in the quarterfinal round.
The tie had fired up from the opener as both players gave in their best to outrun each other. The 22-year-old young French gave in a tough time to Granollers but did not pull off enough for a win as the Spaniard mustered both sets.
Previously, both players had clashed in St. Brieuc challenger and the Open de Tenis Comunidad Valenciana making the Mercedes Cup fixture their third head to head game. Granollers gained lead in the head to head score to 2-1 after
the tie.
The clay proved to be a strong hold as the Spaniard made his second win on clay against the Frenchman. Ranked at world No. 126, Benoit has lost his ranking during his recent fixtures as he had a career high ranking as the world
No.98 in may 2011. However, Benoit did not give up an easy fight.
The Spanish bullfighter had his horns twisted towards the French rival all along. The world No.52, has played over 900 matches altogether, giving him the perfect hand over his competitor. His performance chart on clay is as impressive
as his looks. Having played 362 matches on clay all over, he won 211 and lost only 151.
The former world No.41, Granollers received for the opening set of the match and immediately won his first breakpoint of the match changing the scoreboard 1-0. The scores went balanced by each game until Granollers gave away a
breakpoint to the young French world No.126 to level the scores to 3-3 in the first set. With scores at 4-4 after Granollers served, Paire gave away an expensive breakpoint ultimately leading to a set win for the Spaniard 6-4.
Paire again served first in the second set hoping to give his best shot. The Frenchman pretty much succeeded as he levelled the score at 5-5 after game 20 but the Spaniard beard out as a stronger link. Winning a break point and
following final game of the match. Granollers won in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 extending his lead to 2-1 against the Frenchman and qualified for the next round.
Statistically, both players won the match as the total points had an incredible five points difference. With a 76 points win over the Frenchman, the 25-year-old Spaniard would now face the mighty, former world No.1, Juan Carlos
Ferrero in the 3rd round of the Mercedes Cup 2011.
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