Shevchenko overturns Mpetshi Perricard: dramatic end for the No. 6 seed in Chengdu

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the No. 6 seed, experienced a real setback this Saturday in the second round of the ATP 250 in Chengdu. After winning the first set, the Frenchman succumbed to Alexander Shevchenko 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. A cruel defeat that once again highlights the many shortcomings of the 22-year-old player.

In a duel that lasted a little over two hours, Mpetshi Perricard did not create a single break point opportunity, displaying an incredibly low return of serve rate (18% of points won, or 15 out of 82).

Despite a semifinal in Winston-Salem, the world No. 36 player has not been able to advance beyond the second rounds of the tournaments he has entered (once in the last eleven).

On Shevchenko's side, it's a notable success: defeating a higher-ranked opponent, taking control of the match after losing a set, and proving that patience and consistency can overcome the raw power of his opponent. Qualified for the quarterfinals, he will now face Japanese player Taro Daniel (ranked 168th).