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.

Ben Shelton will bid for revenge against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Saturday as the pair meet for the title in Basel at the Swiss Indoors.

The American sixth seed defeated Arthur Fils in their Saturday semi-final 6-3, 7-6 (9). Mpetshi Perricard beat Shelton on grass last summer at Queen’s Club, London.

Mpetshi Perricard, whose ranking has risen to 50th after starting the season outside the top 200, booked his spot 7-6 (6), 6-4 over 2022 tournament champion Holger Rune.

The French winner claimed his first career title last spring in Lyon and will be competing in his second final at the ATP level.

Rune barely made an impression in the match with the Dane held to 13 winners, while his winning opponent struck 28 winners with 17 unforced errors.

Main photo:- Mpetshi Perricard winning in Basel – by ATPTour.com

Ben Shelton rallied from 0-5 in a second set tiebreaker on Saturday as the American edged past Arthur Fils for a place in the final of the Swiss Indoors.

The sixth-seeded winner will compete for his second ATP 500 title on Sunday against either 2022 finalist Holger Rune or another Frenchman in Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Shelton had to stage a fightback as he trailed 0-5 in the tiebreaker after winning the opening set against one of his friends on the Tour.

The 23-year-old saved fie set points and profited on his own second match point as Fils sliced a return just wide after 78 minutes.

Shelton won the Houston title on clay this season and also owns the 500 title from Tokyo in 2023.

His defeat of Fils earned revenge for a loss he took this month in the Japanese capital to his friend, who went on to lift that title.

 “That was a crazy match; down 5-0 in the breaker and coming back is something never done before,” Shelton said.

“”It took a lot of heart, I was willing myself to win. This was a great match for handling pressure.”

The winner who has not been broken this week in Basel said he had to mix up his game after his loss just a few weeks ago to Fils, a fellow top 20 Tour player.

.”I had to change my game plan a bit; He really likes my style and can make me pay.

“I had to hit harder than I’m comfortable with but did a great job of controlling the ball, since he can rip it off of both sides.”

Shelton said he was helped by “clarity of mind” in his victory.

“I’ve felt really good since I got here, I feel comfortable and like the court conditions. I’m looking to compete well for my third career title.”