Mpetshi Perricard Defeats Shevchenko and Advances to Bordeaux Challenger Semifinals
Quarterfinals day at the Bordeaux Challenger. The first of the two remaining French players in Gironde took to the court early this afternoon. After his victory against Pierre-Hugues Herbert (6-3, 7-6), Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (ranked 36th) faced Alexander Shevchenko (ranked 96th) in a match between two top-100 players.
The Kazakh player had eliminated two Frenchmen before this quarterfinal—Hugo Grenier and Calvin Hemery—each time in straight sets, and hoped to make it a hat-trick.
Coming into Bordeaux on a six-match losing streak, Mpetshi Perricard aimed to regain momentum before Roland-Garros, where the main draw matches begin in two weeks.
The 21-year-old Frenchman started strong, breaking his opponent right away. However, while serving for the first set, Mpetshi Perricard lost his serve.
Nevertheless, he quickly regrouped to win the last two games and take the lead.
In the second set, Mpetshi Perricard broke early again, only to lose his advantage shortly after.
But in the end, the Frenchman tightened his game at the crucial moment. On his first match point, the Wimbledon last-16 finisher sealed the victory on a return game (7-5, 7-5) and secured his spot in the semifinals.
For a place in the final, he will face Rinky Hijikata. The Australian had earlier defeated Benjamin Hassan in the day’s first match (6-4, 7-6). The last two quarterfinals will take place later in the afternoon.
First, Nikoloz Basilashvili will take on top-seeded Brandon Nakashima. Finally, Tallon Griekspoor will challenge Terence Atmane to wrap up Friday’s action.
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