Mpetshi Perricard rides sizzling serve to upset Shelton and win Swiss Indoors
France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard returns a ball to United States's Ben Shelton during the final match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Credit: AP/Georgios Kefalas
BASEL, Switzerland — Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard completed a perfect week on serve by upsetting American Ben Shelton to win the Swiss Indoors on Sunday.
The French player, who is ranked No. 50, prevailed 6-4, 7-6 (4) against the sixth-seeded Shelton to become the lowest-ranked champion since the tournament became a tour-level event in 1975.
Mpetshi Perricard did not drop serve all week in Basel, winning all 60 of his service games and having to fend off just three break points — all in his quarterfinal match against Denis Shapovalov.
He also served up 22 aces against Shelton on his way to taking his first ATP 500 trophy.
“It’s amazing to win a tournament like that. A 500 for the first time for me,” Mpetshi Perricard said. “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.”
Mpetshi Perricard started the year ranked 200, won several challenger titles and his first ATP-level title in Lyon in May.
United States's Ben Shelton returns a ball to France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard during the final match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Credit: AP/Georgios Kefalas
The 21-year-old will rise to a career-high ranking of No. 31 on Monday.
Shelton’s run this week has guaranteed the American’s return to the top 20 from No. 23.
More tennis
