Paire calms Fognini just before beating him in Melbourne

Jan 20, 2017
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Paire calms Fognini just before beating him in Melbourne

The Italian was a victim of bad luck at a very important moment.

Published Jan 20, 2017

On Thursday, deep in the fifth set of their second-round Australian Open encounter, Benoit Paire was facing a break point as he was attempting to serve out the match at 5-3. His opponent, Fabio Fognini was hoping to convert the critical chance to get back into the match when Paire's backhand clipped the net and popped over. The stroke of good luck gave Paire a passing shot chance, which he took full advantage of.

Fognini looked like he was about to implode from the unfairness of it all, despairing over the cruelty of the tennis gods, when Paire walked up to give him a friendly pat on the back.

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Paire calms Fognini just before beating him in Melbourne

To be fair, Paire's down-the-line passing shot was no easy feat, and he deserved the point after a shot like that. The Frenchman would close out the match soon after, 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.