France’s Benoit Paire is set to be fined by the ATP after losing his cool during his 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, loss to Marcos Baghdatis at the Citi Open in Washington.
The world No.55 was taking on Baghdatis in the first round of the tournament, but let the anger get the best of him towards the closing stages. Trailing the final set 2-4 and facing a break point, his rage started when a lob shot by Baghdatis was unsuccessfully returned by Paire. Who ended up falling backwards onto the floor. Prompting him to smash his racket on the ground out of frustration.
After destroying a racket, he continued his rage by destroying a second. Stomping on it before picking it up to slam onto the ground. Leaving it in the centre of the court for one of the ball kids to pick up. Resulting in the umpire to issue him with a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct as well as a point penalty. The outburst prompted Baghdatis to briefly go over to speak with Paire during the changeover in a bid to calm him down. Something that is rarely seen in the sport.
33-year-old Baghdatis went on to seal the final set 6-2. Immediately after the win, Paire went on to smash a third racket onto the ground. The behaviour of the Frenchman led to him being booed off the court.
This is how Benoit Paire went out in Washington. #CitiOpen pic.twitter.com/ektF88kudi
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 1, 2018
It wasn’t just the destroying of his equipment that has attracted controversy. Paire has been accused of deliberately not playing the match point. A Baghdatis serve was met with little interest from the Frenchman. Who exit the court blowing kisses to the crowd, according to eyewitness and Washington City Paper editor Kelyn Soong.
https://twitter.com/KelynSoong/status/1024446315433009154
Paire is set to return to action next week at the Rogers Cup. Meanwhile, Baghdatis will play South Korean eighth seed Hyeon Chung in the second round in Washington.
