The good friends battled through three topsy-turvy sets before Paire's gorgeous lob sealed the Frenchman's victory.
Del Potro delivers message to fans who stuck by him.
A throwback Thursday celebration of Federer's Indian Wells' triumphs.
"If I'm not 100 percent, I don't think it's necessary," said world No. 5.
The 2009 US Open champion one of three wild cards into main draw.
Jatuporn Nalamphun has been suspended for 18 months and fined $5,000.
Wawrinka saved two match points and won the match, but Stakhovsky earned big style points on this play.