Basel ace attack stuns Shelton

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard delivered back-to-back aces to win the Basel 500 title on Sunday as he shut down Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-6 (4).

The American sixth seed did not help his chance in the late stages, sending a volley wide on a mis-hit only to face a pair of match points as his French opponent sent over his 21st ace for the match points and laid on his 22nd to wrap up the final after 85 minutes.

Mpetshi Perricard – not broken all week – added Basel to his spring trophy on clay in Lyon.

He becomes the first Basel champion ranked outside Top 20 since No. 35 Jim Courier in 1989. 

Attending the match were the parents of 10-time Basel champion Roger Federer.

GMP jit 35 winners while Shelton fought hard with 24. 

The No. 50 Frenchman who began the year ranked outside the top 200, was thrilled by his accomplishment.

“It’s amazing to win like this, I can be happy and proud. It’s an amazing win and a great week.

He added: “It’s been a tough month for me – first-round defeats in Shanghai and Antwerp – so it’s always good to get a big victory.

“My serve i a good weapon on this surface. I tried to be aggressive from the baseline and put pressure on the opponent.

“My goal this season was to win a 250 or 500-level title. I’m focusing on what needs to improve in my game.”

The last Frenchman to win Basel was Yannick Noah in 1982 and 1987.