BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard completed a perfect week on serve by upsetting American Ben Shelton to win the Swiss Indoors on Sunday.
The French player, ranked No. 50, won 6-4, 7-6 (4) against sixth-seeded Shelton to become the lowest-ranked champion since the tournament became a tour-level event in 1975.
Mpetshi Perricard didn’t give up his serve all week in Basel, winning all 60 of his service games and only having to fend off three break points, all in his quarterfinal match against Denis Shapovalov.
He also served 22 aces against Shelton en route to his first ATP 500 trophy.
“It’s incredible to win a tournament like this. A 500 for the first time for me,” said Mpetshi Perricard. “I can just be happy with myself, with what I did today and the last five days.
“It’s amazing to win here… (before this) it was a difficult month for me, but it’s always good when the victories are there.”
Mpetshi Perricard started the year ranked 200th, won several challenger titles and his first ATP level title in Lyon in May.
The 21-year-old will reach a career-high No. 31 on Monday.
Shelton’s run this week ensured the American’s return to the top 20 from 23rd.
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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
