ATP Lyon: Benoit Paire masters Felix Auger-Aliassime for third ATP crown
Entering Lyon with an average 11-12 score, the Frenchman Benoit Paire has gone all the way to lift the third ATP title and the second of the season after Marrakech. On Saturday, Benoit took down Taylor Fritz in just over an hour and carried that form into the title match as well, ousting the 4th seed Felix Auer-Aliassime 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 20 minutes to celebrate the crown in front of the home fans. Felix reached the second ATP final of the season and became the first 18-year-old with multiple ATP title matches since Andy Murray in 2006, unable to make the next big step and claim the title and become the youngest ATP champion since Kei Nishikori in Delray Beach 2008.
Losing just 13 points in nine service games, Paire controlled the pace and the scoreboard, suffering one break and taking 44% of the return points, enough for four breaks from nine opportunities. The Frenchman tamed his shots nicely, mixing up the game and imposing his strokes with touchy drop shots or deep and accurate groundstrokes that left Auger-Aliassime with no answer. The youngster saved two break points in the very first game of the match to avoid an early setback before Paire grabbed a break in game three following a double fault from the Canadian.
Felix fended off three break points in game seven but there was nothing he could do on the return, allowing Benoit to close the opener with a perfect drop shot in game ten for a 6-4 after 49 minutes. A backhand down the line winner pushed Paire in front at the beginning of the second set as well, only to suffer a break in game four, bringing Auger-Aliassime back to 2-2. Felix's effort was in vain, though, spraying a forehand error in the next game to get broken again, with Paire building the confidence and moving over the top with another break in game nine for the second ATP title on clay this spring.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2EuQBM8
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