Mpetshi Perricard beats Korda: "It feels good".

© AFP

Elio Valotto

le 03/07/2024 à 11h30

1 min to read

Janvier Korda Mpetshi Perricard Wimbledon

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard's start to the Wimbledon tournament was as special as it was magnificent. The great favorite in the qualifying rounds, he lost somewhat unexpectedly to his compatriot Maxime Janvier, after a rather poor match (6-7, 7-5, 7-6, 7-6).

Spotted as a "lucky loser", the Frenchman seized the opportunity perfectly. Rediscovering his best tennis, particularly on serve (51 aces, 94 winners), he managed to secure his first victory in a Grand Slam final draw.

Up against an in-form Sebastian Korda, the 20-year-old gave nothing away to win in 5 sets and over 3 hours (7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3).

Very happy at the press conference, he admitted that he had really been looking forward to this first Grand Slam victory: "It's the first! I lost in five sets at Roland Garros last year, and this year too, I was thinking: 'Am I going to win a Grand Slam match? It feels great. Especially against an opponent like this, on this surface, and as a lucky loser.

I haven't really copied a server, I have my own style, my own routine before each serve. I don't take the rising ball like Isner, I don't throw the ball three meters up like Del Potro, no, I've always had Giovanni Mpetshi's serve. It's my serve. I serve like me."