By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday October 27, 2024
21-year-old Mpetshi Perricard powered past Ben Shelton in the Basel final for his second title of 2024.
Photo Source: TTV
Rifling through service games with alarming alacrity, 21-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard capped off his run to his first 500 ATP title in Basel on Sunday, hammering 22 aces and 35 winners as he took out American Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-6(4).
Shelton, who started the year outside of the ATP’s Top 200, will rise to No.31 in the rankings on Monday.
“It’s amazing to win a tournament like this,” he said. “A 500, first time for me, so I just can be happy with myself and very proud of what I did today and the past five days – it was amazing to win her.”
Mpetshi Perricard was flawless throughout the week in Basel. The 6’8” powerhouse did not surrender a single break during his five victories, as he became the lowest-ranked champion in Swiss Indoors history (entered at No.50).
Mpetshi Perricard never faced a break point against Shelton, and demonstrated his versatility by chipping in six backhand winners during the 86-minute final. He was extremely bold with his second service and the strategy netted him good results. He won 18 of 25 second serve points and converted 33 of his 39 first serve points against sixth-seeded Shelton.
“On this surface of course my serve is a good weapon for me,” Mpetshi Perricard said. “I’m focused on what I can improve in my game. During the year I did a lot of good things in my training sessions and the work pays, I’m very happy.” Mpetshi Perricard, who reached the second week at Wimbledon as a lucky loser, also won the title at Lyon in May on red clay.
Shelton, the first American to play the Basel final since Andre Agassi in 1998, was bidding for his third ATP title. He falls to 2-1 lifetime in ATP title matches.
“I almost killed myself trying to return your serve,” Shelton said, “So many other parts of your game have improved so much. You are such a great, young talent and so good for the sport. It’s cool to see so many different styles out here on tour and you add so much. Congrats on an outstanding breakout season, going from 200 in the world to 30 in the world in 10 months is something to be very, very proud of.”