Mpetshi Perricard sinks Shelton, makes history in Basel

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard completed a perfect week of sizzling serving on Sunday to upset Ben Shelton and lift the trophy at the Swiss Indoors Basel.

The No. 50 in the PIF ATP Rankings prevailed 6-4, 7-6(4) against the sixth-seeded Shelton to become the lowest-ranked champion since Basel became a tour-level event in 1975. The 6’8” Frenchman hit 22 aces in the championship match to clinch his maiden ATP 500 crown without dropping serve all week.

“It’s amazing to win a tournament like that, a 500, for the first time for me,” said Mpetshi Perricard, who arrived in Basel having lost eight of his previous nine matches. “I just can be happy with myself, with what I did today and the past five days. It’s amazing to win here… [Before this] it was a tough month for me, but it’s always good when the victories are there.”

✨ The Age of Mpetshi Perricard ✨@MpetshiG's meteoric rise continues as he claims his maiden ATP 500 title, defeating Shelton 6-4 7-6(4) in Basel!#SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/ojVsjRNvDG

Mpetshi Perricard’s championship-match clash with Shelton seemed destined to be serve-dominated from the outset. Both players stepped on court for their second Lexus ATP Head2Head encounter having not dropped serve en route to the final. That pattern was soon snapped, however, when the Frenchman took advantage of an uncharacteristically slow start from Shelton to break the lefty's serve in the third game of the match.

Shelton was unable to create an opportunity to work his way back into the set, as Mpetshi Perricard’s relentless barrage of serving ensured that one break was all he needed to clinch the opener. Even so, Shelton produced some real moments of magic, most notably a stunning blocked forehand return winner against a 236 km/h delivery out wide.

Shelton was ultimately unable to carve out a single break point in the match, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and the pressure finally told again in the second-set tie-break. The American mishit a simple forehand volley wide at 4/4, the only mini break of the tie-break, and from there Mpetshi Perricard promptly fired two aces to seal an 87-minute win.

“On this surface, of course my serve is a good weapon for me, but I try to be aggressive from the baseline and put some pressure on the opponent," reflected Mpetshi Perricard. "I’m very happy [because it was] a big part of my game this week.”

After lifting his second ATP Tour trophy, and his first ATP 500, Mpetshi Perricard ensured he will on Monday rise to a career-high World No. 31. The 21-year-old, who lifted an ATP 250 crown in Lyon earlier this year, has made the biggest jump into the Top 50 of the PIF ATP Rankings this year after beginning 2024 as the World No. 205.

“My goal was to win a 250 or a 500, but to win both is amazing,” said the Frenchman, when asked about his rapid rise. “Of course, I’m focused on what I can improve in my game, a lot of things in training. The work paid [off], and I’m really happy.”

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