Carlos Alcaraz is keeping an eye on the 6-foot-1 tennis giant whose 149-mph serve shocked Ben Shelton | Tennis | sport

Carlos Alcaraz revealed he had been keeping an eye on one of his up-and-coming rivals.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard claimed his second title and his first at the ATP 500 level on Sunday by defeating Ben Shelton to win the Swiss Indoors Basel.

Alcaraz defeated the young Frenchman en route to his latest China Open title. And the world No.2 admitted he checked Mpetshi Perricard’s serving stats during Sunday’s final.

Mpetshi Perricard was outside the world’s top 200 at the start of the year and is now ranked 31st in his career following his triumph in Basel. The 21-year-old is 1.80 meters tall and has a big advantage when serving due to his height.

One of his fastest serves in the final came at 149.8 miles per hour – and Shelton somehow managed to score a winner from it. Even his second serves were bullets, with Mpetshi Perricard firing a belter at 146mph.

His performance made Basel a statement to the rest of the Tour, and Alcaraz took note. The Spaniard defeated the 21-year-old in his opening match at the Beijing Open, a tournament which he went on to win.

Although he emerged victorious, Alcaraz is aware that Mpetshi Perricard could soon pose a major threat. When asked if the French star had the best serve on tour, the world No. 2 replied: “Without [a] doubt. Yeah, I mean, the way he serves is unbelievable.”

The four-time Grand Slam champion knew his stuff and revealed that he was keeping an eye on the numbers in the championship fight. “I saw the stats in the final. The first serve average was 235 [km/h]and on the second serve it was 215. So that’s the average,” Alcaraz smiled.

“This is crazy. Yes, I played against him recently, it was completely different conditions. Obviously the court was slower, so I was able to return his serves a few times in the games where I broke his serve.

“So it was difficult because he also has big shots from the baseline. Really good forehand, good volleys. You know, he can be solid from the baseline. That’s why I think he just has to win in Basel and is probably a player who will stay there for a long time.”

Shelton’s serve is also considered a big weapon. But even he was surprised by Mpetshi Perricard’s power in Basel.

“I want to congratulate Gio on a great week and a great game today,” he said in his runner-up speech.

“I almost killed myself trying to return your serve. So many other parts of your game have improved so much and you are such a great young talent and so good for the sport.”