France's Benoit Paire defeated Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday to set up a dream quarter-final against Roger Federer at the Swiss Indoors. World number one and five-time tournament winner Federer will be playing at home in his Swiss stronghold, but 23-year-old Paire is buoyed by being at his highest ranking of 46 and fresh from an upset of fifth seed Andreas Seppi in the first round.
He's likely not expecting the same result against Federer, the holder of 76 titles. "I played a good match against Kubot, I'm very satisfied," said Paire, who admits that he has been working to curb his notorious temper, a component of an unpredictable game which can produce a drop shot winner as easily as it can send an easy return flying over the fences. "I've always admired Roger. It is a dream to be able to play him in his home. Of course he will be the favourite, but I want to put in my best effort and play as well as I can."
Paire nudged his 2012 record to 25 wins against 24 losses as he took down Kubot. The Frenchman overcame the Pole in just under 90 minutes with six aces and three breaks of serve. Paire and Federer have never played. "It's great to be in a quarter-final and to be playing Roger Federer," added the Frenchman. "I had a good match against Kubot which gives me confidence. And of course beating Seppi may have been a surprise.
"Federer had a tough time playing (Thomaz) Bellucci in the second round, it went to three sets. Anything is possible in tennis and I have my chances if things go well for me." In another second-round match, Russian sixth seed Mikhail Youzhny hammered Australian Matthew Ebden 6-3, 6-1, winning in less than an hour.
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