Benoit Paire has not enjoyed his journey as pro-tennis came back after the Coronavirus pandemic. The Frenchman tested positive to the Coronavirus right before the US Open to endure painful isolation in New York. That happened after he withdrew during the 1st round of the Western & Southern Open when facing Borna Coric. The Frenchman looked completely out of sorts to retire when he was 0-6 0-1 down. Later Benoit went to Rome where he lost in straight sets to Jannik Sinner 6-2 6-1 playing a rather erratic match.
Paire playing in Hamburg after testing positive
Shockingly, Benoit was allowed to play in Hamburg after he tested positive for 2 consecutive times. Then the Frenchman tested negative and therefore he was allowed to play his first match against Casper Ruud. Benoit didn’t look fit at all and eventually he had to retire as he looked in dire straits from a physical point of view.
Later Paire commented:
“When I arrived, the test came back positive again. I can’t take it anymore, I’m breaking.
And then I’m told, in Germany, if you are positive and have already completed the quarantine, they no longer test the players because even if you catch it again, you are no longer contagious.”
What about the French Open and the Coronavirus?
This kind of protocol is completely different than the one adopted by the French Open where 6 players in the qualifying draw were withdrawn after either testing positive or coming in close contact with a coach who tested positive.
Therefore, Paire added:
“I said ‘thank you’ to the doctor and the tournament for allowing me to play. In Paris, some are negative but since the coach tested positive, they cannot play. Here, in Germany, you test positive and you can still play.”
Benoit Paire in 2020
At the moment ranked no.25, Paire played his last match on the 23rd of September when he had to retire when playing against Casper Ruud in the 1st round and the scoreline was 6-4 2-0 .
Benoit Paire’s most significant achievement of the present season was reaching the final in Auckland.
Ruud in Hamburg, ranking, and results in 2020
Ranked world no.30 (career-high), Casper has a 17-8 win-loss record in 2020. The Norwegian is currently having a run in Hamburg where he defeated Benoit Paire 6-4 2-0 ret..
Casper Ruud will play Fognini in the 2nd round. The head to head is 1-0 for Ruud.
Ruud conquered 1 title in 2020 in Buenos Aires. Casper was the runner-up in Santiago.
Benoit Paire and Casper Ruud played each other twice. The head to head is 2-0 for Ruud. The last time that they played, Casper Ruud won 6-4 2-0 ret. in the 1st round in Hamburg (Hamburg European Open) on the 23rd of September 2020.
