In Lyon, Mpetshi Perricard warns the public: "If I hear one single 'Bublik', I'm leaving this town".
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is having quite an impressive 2024 season. Ranked 205th in the world in January, he is about to break into the world's top 100 as he will be, at the very least, 94th on Monday. Already winner of three Challenger tournaments this year (Nottingham, Morelos, Acapulco), he continues to blossom. Back on French soil, he's had one good result after another. Quarter-finalist in Bordeaux last week, he took advantage of his time in Lyon to shine. After defeating Sonego in the first round, he benefited from Nishioka's withdrawal before overcoming Gaston in the quarter-finals (6-4, 4-6, 6-3).
When asked about his achievement in breaking into the top 100, the Frenchman was reluctant to get carried away: "I think I'm in the top 100. I don't even know. I haven't even calculated. I don't really give a damn about the rankings. [...] It's a stage. It's not a goal for me. No, my objective, as I said, was to win an ATP tournament, a 500, a 250, a 1000. But yes, it's a step among others."
Having qualified for his first semi-final on the main circuit, the 2m03 player wants to dream higher. Invited by the organizers, he is the last French representative and the focus of the Lyon public's hopes. As the tournament enters its final year, it would be a great story to tell. That said, before he can hope to lift the trophy, he'll have to pull off quite a feat, as the world number 19 awaits him in the next round: Alexander Bublik.
Aware of the challenge that awaits him, Mpetshi Perricard is certainly hoping to take advantage of the Kazakh's shortcomings on ochre, but also and above all of popular support. All smiles, he warned the public: "It sure feels good (to have the public behind you)! But then, not everyone was for me today (against Hugo Gaston in the quarters). Well, I hope that tomorrow (against Bublik), you'll all be for me! If I hear one single 'Bublik', I'm leaving this town (smile)."
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