Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s remarkable display in the first round of Wimbledon has resulted in the fortunate loser securing a victory in a grueling five-set match against the 20th seed, Sebastian Korda. With an impressive 51 aces and 90 total winners, he sealed his maiden major main-draw win.
The towering 6-foot-8 French player capitalized on his second opportunity in the tournament after entering the 128-man field as a fortunate loser. His dominant performance on Tuesday saw him control the match, saving all 11 break points he faced, and ultimately emerging victorious in a thrilling 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6), 6-7 (4), 6-3 five-set clash.
Despite Korda’s initial 5-2 lead in the first set, Mpetshi Perricard shifted the momentum by winning the first-set tiebreak. The Frenchman then managed to reclaim the lead in the third-set tiebreak, demonstrating resilience in the fourth set by surviving multiple set points.
The match was briefly interrupted by rain during the decisive set, but upon resumption of play, Mpetshi Perricard secured the only break of the day, ultimately clinching the match with a final ace on match point. His outstanding performance included a total of 93 winners while maintaining a low count of unforced errors, solidifying his victory and advancement to the next round.
This triumph at Wimbledon adds to Mpetshi Perricard’s list of accomplishments for 2024, following his earlier ATP trophy win in Lyon. The Frenchman’s breakthrough efforts this season have propelled him into the Top 100, and his recent performance at Wimbledon is certain to reinforce his growing reputation in the tennis world.