HOTHEAD EYES HIS REVENGE

ALONG with Benoit Paire’s supreme talent comes a temper and sharp tongue. Last year, ahead of facing Andy Murray in the fourth round of Wimbledon — a tournament he once said he hated — he accused the Scot of suffering from an imaginary injury. So, after being drawn together in the first round yesterday, what does the 29-year-old Frenchman make of Murray keeping us guessing over his involvement? ‘If he comes on court it is because he is 100 per cent,’ said Paire (right). ‘He has practised for a long time so I’m going to try to do my best and see how he is. ‘I feel I can do something good. It will be revenge, for sure. I lost against him last year at the same tournament so it will be revenge. It was my first time on Centre Court, so now I know what that is like. I know I can beat anyone.’ His focus appears to be back on tennis after recently showing he is no stranger to controversy. In 2014 Paire said he hated Wimbledon because of the atmosphere, adding: ‘I’m happy to leave as soon as possible.’ He was booted off the French team at the 2016 Olympics for seemingly spending most of his time at Brazil’s beaches rather than on court. Murray has faced him twice, winning both times.