Mpetshi Perricard downs Bergs in drama-filled Roland Garros win

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard won’t soon forget the dramatic way in which he earned his first Roland Garros victory.

The 21-year-old Frenchman fed off the energy of a lively home crowd to notch a thrilling 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-4 triumph over Zizou Bergs on Monday. Mpetshi Perricard trailed 0/5 in the third-set tie-break, but reeled off seven consecutive points to move ahead under the roof of Court Suzanne Lenglen.

“At 0/5, I tried to make it back little by little,” said Mpetshi Perricard. “I tried to go point by point, then at 5/5, 6/5, with the whole crowd behind me I felt [great]. It was a tough match, physically, so I will do my best to be ready for Wednesday.”

With score level at one set apiece, Mpetshi Perricard was on the brink of falling to a 1-2 deficit. But from 0/5 in the tie-break, the 6’8” Lyon-native promptly fired two aces to keep his hopes alive. Bergs then showed signs of tension with a sloppy forehand unforced error before the Frenchman stretched for a stunning pass to reclaim the mini-break for 4/5.

The 31st-seeded Mpetshi Perricard then found two mighty serves, which were both backed up by forehand winners to earn a set point, on which Bergs hit a double fault. It marked the end of an absorbing tie-break and sparked raucous cheers, which were amplified due to the atmosphere under the closed roof.

Mpetshi Perricard failed to serve out the match at 5-3 in the fourth set, but regrouped to break in the ensuing game to seal victory. He fired 12 aces, according to Infosys Stats, during the three-hour, 18-minute first-round clash, and will next face Damir Dzumhur.

Other early winners on Sunday in Paris included 12th seed Tommy Paul, who rallied past lucky loser Elmer Moller, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 in the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash. The American, who is into the second round for the fifth time in his career, will take on Marton Fucsovics, who defeated wild card Tristan Schoolkate 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

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Mariano Navone, the No. 98 in the PIF ATP Rankings, claimed an impressive win over 28th seed Brandon Nakashima, prevailing 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion Hamad Medjedovic eased past Kamil Majchrzak 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(2).