Benoit Paire: US Open Player of Day One

Aug 31, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Benoit Paire of France celebrates after his match against Kei Nishikori of Japan (not pictured) on day one of the 2015 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Paire won 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

US Open Player of Day One: Benoit Paire

The biggest scalp on day one of the US Open occurred early on, as Benoit Paire took out last year’s finalist Kei Nishikori. Paire had boasted some excellent results coming into the match, having won his first title in Bastad recently, whilst gradually forcing his ranking back into the top 40. Still, the prospect of the Japanese star was a daunting prospect for Paire.

Early on, it appeared that Paire’s delicious backhand and ground-shaking serve were too much for Nishikori, as the Frenchman clasped the first set, 6-4. The world no. 4 then sought to reclaim order, taking the next two sets.

The fourth set was when things got interesting: Nishikori held two match points in a tiebreaker, but was unable to convert, striking multiple lazy unforced errors to gift Paire the set. In a somewhat anti-climactic final set, the Frenchman broke Nishikori mid-set and held serve to notch up the biggest win of his career.

Paire appeared discombobulated after embracing Nishikori at the net, clarifying with the chair umpire that he had actually defeated the world no. 4.

And indeed, he did. And unlike most premature scalps at the grand slams, Paire claimed victory on the merit of his own performance, as opposed to any faults in Nishikori’s game. Even Nishikori praised Paire’s aggression, variety and monstrous serve after the match. If he maintains his standard of play from the first day, Paire could venture deep in a now-decimated section of the draw.

For now though, he can enjoy the knowledge that he defeated one of the world’s best players. And he is our Player of the Day for Day One of the US Open.

Winner: Dominika Cibulkova

Only one day has transpired at the US Open, and unseeded comeback kid Dominika Cibulkova is the likely favourite to come through her quarter after a series of upsets. The biggest upset, though, was caused by the Slovakian, as she took out 7th seed Ana Ivanovic in three tight sets. Granted, Domi should have wrapped up the match in straight sets, as she was once up a set with three points for a double break. But any win against a top-ten opponent is nothing to jibe at.

Earlier this week, I wrote that whoever made it out of the Ivanovic-Cibulkova match would reach the quarterfinals, and I’m sticking by that prediction. Look for Domi to make a quarterfinal, or indeed, semifinal run in New York.

Winner: Belinda Bencic

On a day when three top ten seeds, among other top 30 players, fizzled out of the year’s final grand slam, it was the 12th-seeded 18-year old who managed to restore order. A quarterfinalist last year, Belinda Bencic avoided the upset bug with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory over Sesil Karatantcheva. Based on this performance, another deep run at the US Open is on the cards for the Toronto champion.

Winner: Mardy Fish

Prolonging his career for yet another match, the aging American took out Italian Marco Cecchinato in four sets. Fish will be rewarded with a second round meeting with 18th seed Feliciano Lopez. It won’t be simple, but could Fish claim one last big win to end his career on a high?

Who Was The Best Player on Day One of the US Open?

Who do you think was the greatest performer on day one of the US Open? Let us know in the comments below!

Next: Power Ranking Serena Williams and the Top 25 Women Before the US Open

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