Fritz Faces Tough Test Against Mpetshi Perricard at Shanghai Masters

SHANGHAI, China — Taylor Fritz, the No. 5 seed, will compete against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the Round of 32 at the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters on Sunday. The match follows Fritz’s thrilling second-round victory over Fabian Marozsan.

Fritz, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, has had an impressive 2025 season, claiming titles in Stuttgart and Eastbourne. The 27-year-old American also reached the finals in Tokyo and the semifinals at Wimbledon, Miami, and Toronto. His recent form includes a nail-biting 2-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(1) win over Marozsan, showcasing his resilience.

On the other hand, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, ranked No. 37, is a rising star known for his power serve, which was the fastest at Wimbledon this past summer. He started the year strong, reaching the semifinals of the Brisbane International but has struggled for consistency since, posting a 15-21 record this season.

The two players have faced each other once before at Wimbledon, where Fritz staged a remarkable comeback after trailing two sets down to win. This week, expectations are high for a closely contested match, given Mpetshi Perricard’s powerful serving.

Betting odds reflect the outlook for the match: Fritz is favored with a 70% chance of victory, while Mpetshi Perricard has been labeled the underdog. Analysts note that the slower hard courts in Shanghai may favor Fritz’s baseline style, allowing him to set up his returns effectively.

As anticipation builds for this matchup, fans will be eager to see if Mpetshi Perricard can pose a real challenge to Fritz or if the American will secure a straightforward win in straight sets.