Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard moves into third round after challenging French Open

Young French tennis player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard will continue to hope for a longer run at Wimbledon after having a hard time during the French Open. The 20-year-old is often regarded as one of the most highly-rated French players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category.

Mpetshi Perricard was in the news for the wrong reasons during the Roland Garros, where he suffered a surprising defeat in the first round to Belgium’s David Goffin in a five-setter with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.

During the match, the Lyon-born star complained about the treatment he received from the crowd sitting in the stands. He later stated that the behaviour of the fans is now becoming ‘ridiculous’. "It's starting to become ridiculous,” he said. “Some people are there more to cause trouble than to create an atmosphere. Someone spat out their chewing gum at me.”

The poor behaviour of the fans towards Mpetshi Perricard was acknowledged by his opponent Goffin as well who stated after the match: "Clearly, it goes too far, it's total disrespect. It's really too much. It's becoming football, soon there will be smoke bombs, hooligans and there will be fights in the stands.”

After that match, French Open authorities decided to ban alcohol in the stands during the mega-events, which has also been observed in the ongoing competition. Mpetshi Perricard is currently taking part at Wimbledon, where he has already booked his place in the third round after beating Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan in the second round in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.

He will face Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori, who registered his spot by winning a surprising match. He defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas with a score of 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3. Interestingly, it will be the first time both players will face off in a professional match.