At the 2024 ATP 500 Basel, the rising stars of the tennis world, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, will go head-to-head in the Round of 16. While both players are powerful and skilful on court, they come into this encounter in contrasting form. World number 19 Auger-Aliassime is still fighting his way back to the top after a mediocre season, while number 50 Mpetshi Perricard searches for that elusive win that can spur him on after some painful losses.
A meeting between both on the indoor hard courts of Basel promises to be a high-octane display of serves, forehands, and athleticism. The outcome could come down to the key factors of momentum, the execution of tactics, and the ability to remain composed at critical moments. On the back of victories, both players make this match a defining one that shapes up the closing seasons.
This will be the first meeting between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on the ATP Tour. Such is the case in this Round of 16 match, pitting two players against each other who have contrasting experience levels. While Auger-Aliassime has been an established top-20 player with deep runs at major level events, Mpetshi Perricard is still finding his feet at the ATP level.
Claim Welcome BonusFelix Augar-Aliassime
Felix Auger-Aliassime comes into the ATP 500 Basel with something of a middle-of-the-road streak: five wins out of ten. Looking at his most recent match, he was very much in control as he defeated the pesky Sebastian Baez 7-5, 6-1. With aggressive play who always tries to push forward, thanks to a strong powerful serve, Auger-Aliassime has everything needed for supremacy on fast surfaces, such as Basel's indoor hard court, since he will be able to push through with his serve and forehand.
Felix Auger-Aliassime is an aggressive baseliner who loves fast conditions. He bases his game on a strong first serve, a heavy forehand, and sharp positioning in court. In the last match against Baez, Auger-Aliassime was almost perfect while serving-8 aces, 71% first-serve rate, and an impressive 86% win rate on first-serve points. His ability to save all break points against Baez made him perfect out of perfect breaks points saved, underlining his mental toughness during the critical moments.
Against Mpetshi Perricard, Auger-Aliassime will be able to take charge of rallies early by using his serve to fashion short points and putting pressure on the Frenchman's rather weak return game. His baseline aggression will prove vital in forcing Mpetshi into the back foot. He will most probably feast on his opponent's second serve since Mpetshi tends to get inconsistent if he is forced into longer rallies.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, however, has struggled for consistency, winning just two of his last ten matches. His 6-7, 3-6 win over James Duckworth showed glimpses of what he is capable of, most especially with his colossal serving. Mpetshi Perricard's tally of 21 aces in that match gave good proof of his raw power, but inconsistency in baseline exchanges and return game have made him vulnerable in the earlier rounds.
Big-hitting Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard dominates a match in large part thanks to his first serve. Having blasted 21 aces in his victory over Duckworth, there were visible cracks when the rallies got much longer as the second-serve win rate fell to 57%. Returning is another area where Mpetshi Perricard needs work, coming away with a return of serve points won percentage of just 22% in terms of first-serve returns.
Mpetshi Perricard will have to perform well on serve and at least be aggressive early in the points if he wants to be in this match with Auger-Aliassime. He must therefore keep the rallies short, attacking the net as often as possible, using his big serve to set up easy volleys and finish the points out as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, any weakness in that serve could well get punished through Auger-Aliassime's good returning ability.
Expert Betting Tips
Coming into this match, Felix Auger-Aliassime has an even 5-5 in the last ten matches, and against Baez, he was a good improvement from that. Serving statistics of second serves won touch the ceiling at 93%, saving 100% break points. The Canadian seems to be in decent form and ready for some stressful moments. On the other side, Mpetshi Perricard performs inconsistently, boasting an unappealing record of 2-8 over his last ten matches, with his game overall shaky but his serve being a potent weapon.
Both guys have elite-level serves, but it's Auger-Aliassime who has a great advantage in returning. His 66% win rate of second-serve return points against Baez showed him as aggressive on return, which might be the decisive factor against Mpetshi Perricard, who won only 53% of his second-serve points in his last match. If Auger-Aliassime can neutralize Mpetshi's first serve and extend the rallies, he is likely to control this match.
The clear edge in experience at this level comes from Felix Auger-Aliassime, who has played a lot of critical matches. The fact that he can save break points and then convert his own chances at a rate of 3/3 in his last match suggests a mental edge high above his opponent. Mpetshi Perricard is talented but fragile in extended matches; hence, under pressure, there is a prevalence of unforced errors.
- Felix Augar-Aliassime (-2.5) Games Handicap @ 1.662 Odds
- Under 23.5 Games @ 1.74 Odds
- Felix Augar-Aliassime Wins 2-0 @ 1.90 Odds
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