The second set turned out to be a rollercoaster, marked Paire’s service game step-up. There were 11 consecutive holds before Paire had a set point out of Pouille’s errors; however, Pouille still managed to construct a backhand lob to secure his first game point before his backhand winner secured the second set tie-break several points after.
Paire started the tie-break erratically while Pouille was solid on his serve, eventually had an unreturned serve for his match point to 6-1. The tables started to turn on Paire’s serves (with some unreturned ones), add that with a volley to save one of Pouille’s match points as the key before Pouille double-faulted right at another match point. Eventually, Paire tried to bring Pouille off the balance from his serves, with an ace to secure his set point before Pouille’s backhand rush resulted in Paire taking the second set 7-6(6), bringing the match to a decider.
Phoenix Ch R2: Nuno Borges [5] def. Benoit Paire 4-2 ret. Match Stats
📸 ATP official website
The dramatic preceding round might have taken a toll for Paire, but N. Borges regained the most important moments as soon as he got his point construction back thanks to his balance. Despite both players having 50% of their break point conversion rates, N. Borges still managed to come up with 4 break points thanks to his defense-to-offense mechanisms. However, Paire's possible shoulder problem might have affected Paire's second serve as he only won 18% of his points from there compared to N. Borges' 80%, which stood out in the service game department even when Paire won 10% lesser points from his first serves than N. Borges' second serves.
In tomorrow's quarterfinals, N. Borges will face the winner between alternates Thanasi Kokkinakis or Arthur Rinderknech, whose match will commence soon as this was written. This could also be a moment where both service game consistency, pacing, groundstrokes, and intuitiveness in constructing their points combined could determine the outcome of this match. One of the most exciting matches, possibly, to headline tomorrow's matches!