SkiStar Swedish Open, Bastad Men’s Final: [CR21] Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs. [CR62] Benoit Paire (FRA) It was difficult to assess who was more nervous, twelfth time Champion, Robredo or third time finalist, Paire? It was not one of Robredo’s better performances. He uncharacteristically struggled on serve and made some awful errors, especially on crucial points. Paire was also feeling the pressure; however, unlike Robredo, he was able to hit his way out of trouble. Twice Paire had made it to the final in singles, only to fall short. Was he going to get over that final obstacle today or would he suffer the same fate? The odds were against him. He had lost their only previous encounter and he was playing a two-time Swedish Open Champion in Robredo. Things looked to be heading in the same direction as their first match when Robredo had an easy forehand set point to win the first set in the tiebreak; however, he failed to convert. That was the theme of today’s match, Robredo’s many errors. That missed forehand into the net was his most costly. He lost his opportunity to win the first set and perhaps the match at that point. I am not sure if this was entirely all the result of nerves or if the left calf injury combined to contribute to his defeat. He was not as focused and committed as I have seen him in the past. He struggled to keep the ball in play and his shots lacked depth and pace. All credit to Paire, he still had to win it and he executed his shots brilliantly when he needed to. The novice was the one who conquered the nerves and grew in confidence after the first set.  Paire’s reward was his first ATP Tour singles title. He defeated Robredo 7-6(7), 6-3 and joined the first time winners club. Paire hopes it won’t be his last. Congratulations to Benoit Paire on winning your first ATP World Tour singles title.