LONDON – In a gripping first-round match at Wimbledon, Taylor Fritz overcame both a record-breaking serve and an overnight suspension to secure a victory over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The match, which resumed on Tuesday, saw Fritz triumph with scores of 6-7 (6), 6-7 (8), 6-4, 7-6 (6), 6-4, despite facing a formidable 153 mph serve from his opponent, the fastest in Wimbledon history.
The No. 5-seeded Fritz, who was the runner-up at the 2024 U.S. Open, had to dig deep after losing the first two sets. He found himself two points away from defeat multiple times during the fourth-set tiebreaker on Monday night. “A really crazy match,” Fritz remarked after his win on No. 1 Court. “I thought it was about to be all over last night in the fourth-set tiebreaker. But he came back on me in the first two tiebreakers, so I thought maybe I had one in me. I’m super happy to get through it.”
Overnight Suspension and Record Serve
The match was halted at 10:15 p.m. on Monday due to the All England Club’s 11 p.m. curfew, leaving Fritz eager to continue. However, the decision was out of his hands. “It’s obviously not ideal,” Fritz commented. “I felt like if we weren’t going to have time to finish the fifth set, then absolutely I think it makes sense not to play the fifth set. But we were having sets about as long as you can possibly play sets, and they were still in the time frame that we had last night to play the fifth.”
Returning on Tuesday, Fritz needed just 35 minutes to conclude the match, which featured a total of 66 aces—37 by Mpetshi Perricard and 29 by Fritz. The third point of the match on Monday saw Mpetshi Perricard, a 6-foot-8 Frenchman, deliver a 153 mph serve, surpassing the previous record of 148 mph set by Taylor Dent in 2010. Despite the blistering speed, Fritz managed to return the serve and win the point with a forehand volley.
Fritz’s Grass Court Comfort
Fritz’s performance on grass courts has been notably strong, a surface that complements his powerful serve and forehand. Having reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2022 and 2023, and fresh off a victory at the Eastbourne Open, Fritz expressed the pressure he felt during the match. “This is a huge, huge week for me, with the recent results on grass. So I was thinking about that in this match,” he said. “It put a lot of pressure on me, because I really didn’t want to go out in the first round.”
Historical Context and Expert Opinions
The intensity of this match not only highlights Fritz’s resilience but also places him among the players who have faced and overcome record-breaking serves. Tennis analyst John McEnroe noted, “Handling such a powerful serve requires not just skill but mental fortitude. Fritz’s ability to stay composed under pressure is commendable.”
Fritz’s victory is a testament to his adaptability and determination, qualities that have been honed over years of competing at the highest levels. His journey through the ranks of professional tennis has been marked by significant milestones, including his consistent performance on grass courts, which he has described as his favorite surface.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Fritz advances to the next round, where he will continue to leverage his strengths on grass. As the tournament progresses, his ability to maintain focus and adapt to challenging situations will be crucial. The win against Mpetshi Perricard not only boosts his confidence but also sets a precedent for handling high-pressure scenarios.
As the Wimbledon tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Fritz to see if he can capitalize on his current form and potentially make a deep run. His journey is a compelling narrative of perseverance and skill, elements that resonate with tennis fans worldwide.
Howard Fendrich has been the AP’s tennis writer since 2002. Find his stories here. More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis