The Lyonnais, who usually competes in challenger tournaments (second professional division), is getting a little spotlight in Antwerp. Coming from the qualifiers, as he did in s-Hertogenbosch before losing to Jordan Thompson, the current world number 226 won the Challenger de Leon in Mexico in the spring, the biggest title of his career. Monday, he won his first match on the main circuit in this ATP 250, after saving a match point (0-6, 6-3, 7-6) against the Spaniard Carballes Baena (64th in the world and head of series 6). He continued against the Belgian n°1 David Goffin, former 7th in the world (in 2017) 7-5, 6-3. A very nice performance.
From the height of his 2m03, he regularly sends first balls at 230 km/h. Liégeois Goffin never managed to get a break point against “GMP” and had to wait for his opponent’s 4th service game to score his very first point. “When he is well practiced like that on his serve, it’s very complicated. He is of the caliber of an Isner or a Karlovic. I was trying to choose the right side, I was hoping for a little lull, a few mistakes, in vain…”, slipped to Soir. the Belgian, helpless.
Cornacious since last December by Emmanuel Planque, the former coach of, among others, Lucas Pouille, Mpetshi Perricard continues his transformation. “He is unique because he has a slightly unusual size,” Planque told l’Equipe. He is 2.03 m tall, weighs over 100 kg and has a one-handed backhand. You don’t see birds like that often. It changes a lot of things, especially on the way back. So the idea is to bring it towards an ultra-offensive game, with obviously great serving qualities. In first as in second. It’s not only about making aces but also serving very well on the second ball in order to get turned around a little or get turned around and have a second shot to hurt a lot. And then be very bold and very aggressive as soon as the exchange begins and above all not agree to enter into a rally because, if he engages, he obviously has an 80% chance of losing it. »
Eldest son of Ghislain Mpetshi, former player notably of FC Bourg-Péronnas (2002-2003), he started tennis at the age of 4, at AS Caluire. “I didn’t particularly want to put him into football but rather to follow his desires” the former footballer, now 48 years old, confided to Le Progrès. After trying basketball and swimming, Giovanni definitively opted for tennis and won his first tournament at the age of 8. Turning pro in 2019, he also chose the little yellow ball also out of love for Rafael Nadal . But there is no question of imitating the king of Roland-Garros on the court! “Between the representation he had of himself and the demands at the highest level and what he encounters, with the experience he has when he trains with good players, one in the other he is starting to understand that we will have to make Rafa Nadal and his style of play an old dream,” laughs his coach in the Team.
Semi-finalist in juniors at Roland-Garros in 2021, he was dominated by his friend Arthur Fils. That same year, he won Porte d’Auteuil in the doubles alongside his comrade and friend Fils. The latter, now 38th in the world, as well as Luca van Asshe, 68th, have taken a lead over their friend, who went through the renowned CREPS in Poitiers, then through the CNE (National Training Center). Upset by minor health problems due to his rapid growth, he took longer than his comrades, already well established on the big circuit. It’s up to him to make up for lost time.
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