Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard rides sizzling serve to upset Ben Shelton and win Swiss Indoors

The French player did not drop serve all week, winning all 60 of his service games and serving up 22 aces against Shelton on his way to taking his first ATP 500 trophy.

ByAssociated Press

Published Oct 27, 2024

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BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — 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.

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.