"I physically faltered, I'm aware of that," regrets Mpetshi Perricard after his loss to Musetti
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was defeated in the first round of the US Open. Facing Lorenzo Musetti, the world number 10, the Frenchman started the match well, winning the first set against the Italian.
But he couldn't maintain the pace throughout the match and ultimately lost in four sets (6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4). Speaking to Eurosport after his elimination, Mpetshi Perricard, ranked 37th in the world, expressed his disappointment that he couldn't hold up physically during the more than 2.5 hours of play.
"What I feel is that I played well in the first set. What I was doing was very good, I was serving well, I was quite dominant. After that, he tried to make me play more on my first serves.
He tried to bother me, and I couldn't find the keys. I didn't return very well, I struggled to settle into his second serves to hurt him. Lorenzo (Musetti) was better than me today (Tuesday).
I physically faltered, I'm aware of that. I know it's something I need to work on, because a Grand Slam match is long. There are definitely many aspects of my game to work on.
I still have a lot of things to improve in my game. I don't think I'm a finished product; it's only my second year. I'm playing against much stronger opponents. It highlights my shortcomings, I'm aware that I have them and I will do everything to correct them.
I struggled to serve in the last three sets. I started having spasms and cramps in my hand, and it became harder to hold the racket. I definitely tried every possible solution, but it didn't work.
It became more difficult to play. With my explosive and strength-based game, it started to get tough. I have time to prepare for the doubles with Nico (Mahut); it's his last Grand Slam, so we'll have to give it our all," Mpetshi Perricard stated.
US Open 
