LYON/STARNBERG, May 24, 2024
French wild card Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard extended his remarkable run on Friday at the Open Parc, defeating second seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 6-4, 7-5 to secure his maiden ATP Tour final appearance in Lyon.
Cheered on by an enthusiastic home crowd, the towering 20-year-old Lyon native showcased his powerful game to achieve his first Top 20 victory. Mpetshi Perricard hammered 28 winners and won an impressive 85 per cent of his first-service points, sealing the win in 76 minutes.
Welcome to the big time 🤩
Lyon-born @MpetshiG defeats Bublik 6-4 7-5 to become the lowest ranked Lyon finalist 🥶#OpenParc pic.twitter.com/aYwkGTmjaU
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 24, 2024
“It is amazing to be in the final here in Lyon. The tournament is not over. I have one match left and will do my best to win that match,” said Mpetshi Perricard.
The World No. 117, who has clinched three titles on the ATP Challenger Tour this season, is the lowest-ranked finalist in the history of the clay-court event.
Mpetshi Perricard will play Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the final. The No. 6 seed defeated Luciano Darderi of Italy 6-2, 6-4. Etcheverry won 83 per cent of his first-service points and saved all three break points he faced to seal his 50th tour-level win in one hour and 30 minutes.
Etcheverry will aim to claim his first tour-level title on Saturday. Last season, the 24-year-old La Plata native advanced to championship matches on clay in Santiago de Chile and Houston, Texas.
