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Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard broke the previous Wimbledon record of 148 mph held by Taylor Dent.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard hit 33 aces before play was stopped. (AP Photo)
Fifth-seeded Taylor Fritz’s match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who set a tournament record with a 153 mph serve, was suspended after four sets on Monday night due to the possibility of not finishing before Wimbledon’s 11 p.m. curfew. The match will resume on Tuesday. Mpetshi Perricard, whose fastest serve came in the opening game, won the first two sets 7-6 (6), 7-6 (8). Fritz then took the next two sets 6-4, 7-6 (6).
The 6-foot-8 Mpetshi Perricard surpassed the previous Wimbledon record of 148 mph, set by Taylor Dent in 2010. Despite this, Fritz not only returned the serve but also won the point.
With the No. 1 Court retractable roof closed and artificial lights on, Mpetshi Perricard was two points away from winning while leading 5-2 in the fourth-set tiebreaker but couldn’t close it out. From 6-all, Fritz, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, won the next two points to force a fifth set and celebrated by pounding his right fist on his chest and shouting, “Let’s (expletive) go! Come on!” It was around 10:15 p.m., and the players met at the net with an official to discuss the continuation of the match.
Eventually, the chair umpire announced to the crowd: “Ladies and gentlemen, due to the late time of the day, we will not be able to finish the match. Therefore, the match will be suspended until tomorrow. Play is suspended.”
Over at Centre Court, the last match on Monday was also halted. No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev, a three-time major finalist, was even at a set apiece against Arthur Rinderknech when they stopped at 10:54 p.m. Neither player managed a break of serve in the two sets they played. Rinderknech took the first set 7-6 (3), and Zverev won the second 7-6 (8).
Fritz appeared displeased about the interruption of his match, looking towards his guest box with his palms up, saying, “I couldn’t do anything. I tried.”
In a match featuring two of the tour’s top servers, Mpetshi Perricard hit 33 aces before play was stopped, while Fritz hit 24. Mpetshi Perricard did not earn a single break point during the four sets played on Monday, while Fritz had five opportunities, converting one.
Fritz, a 27-year-old Californian, reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2022, losing to Rafael Nadal, and again last year, losing to Lorenzo Musetti. Mpetshi Perricard, a 21-year-old Frenchman, reached the fourth round at the All England Club last year, also being eliminated by Musetti.
With AP Inputs
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A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports
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London, United Kingdom (UK)
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