ATP Brussels: Run ends for Mpetshi Perricard, defeated by Lehecka after two tie-breaks

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard put up a good fight, but Jiri Lehecka handled the pressure moments better. The Czech player, winning 7-6, 7-6, will compete in his third final of the season, while the Frenchman will prepare to defend his title in Basel.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was beaten at his own game in Brussels. The Frenchman, who hoped to reach the final of this ATP 250 event, was stopped in the semifinals by the No. 3 seed Jiri Lehecka.

The Czech player thwarted his opponent's plans by winning two tie-breaks 7-3 and 9-7. After Benjamin Bonzi in the quarterfinals, another French player has fallen to Lehecka.

The world No. 17 will play his third final of the season tomorrow after Brisbane and Queen's. He will be aiming for his third ATP Tour title and his very first indoor title. He will face either wild card Raphaël Collignon or Félix Auger-Aliassime.

For Mpetshi Perricard, attention now turns to Basel where he will defend the title he won last year. But the task will not be easy for the 22-year-old player, who will begin his week in Switzerland facing the promising Joao Fonseca.