Taylor Fritz vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard match halted!

New York Times

11 hours ago

Follow live reaction to the opening day at SW19 with fans unhappy as Fritz and Zverev clashes were paused after Carlos Alcaraz progressed in five sets Getty Images
Day one at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships saw late controversy as Taylor Fritz's match was suspended due to the SW19 curfew, with Alexander Zverev (3) vs. Arthur Rinderknech also paused.
American Fritz (5) fought back from two sets down to level vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard but play was called off, denying fans who stayed late a final-set decider, with Zverev one set all with Rinderknech.
Earlier, two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz progressed in five sets against Fabio Fognini, 38, on a day when several seeds were shocked, including Rune (8), Medvedev (9), Cerúndolo (16), and Tsitsipas (24).
In the women's singles, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was among those to win on a scorching first day with temperatures reaching 90F (32C). Watch: BBC (UK), ESPN (U.S.); Get involved: [e-mail]
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Taylor Fritz frustrated as Wimbledon comeback is interrupted by curfew Getty Images
The match has been stopped for tonight! Caoimhe O'Neill/The Athletic
Not long ago, those who had stayed late on No. 1 Court believed they were in for a treat.
Not only was the roof on and the air inside cool but this had been one of the matches of day one at the Championships.
United States of America favorite Taylor Fritz was trying to take the match against unseeded Frenchman, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, into a fifth set.
Despite a lot of love for both players, Perricard had the crowd with him in big moments.
He led 5-1 in the tiebreak as the players changed ends, but Fritz showed why he's the No. 5 seed and pulled it all the way back to take the tiebreak and with it the fourth set.
But then... Caoimhe O'Neill/The Athletic
Check out the food and drink on offer at the Tea Lawn, just inside the Centre Court complex.
Fancy. Kamil Majchrzak beat Matteo Berrettini (32) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 American Jenson Brooksby beat Tallon Griekspoor (31) 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 but compatriot Brandon Holt was beaten by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (26) , 6-2, 6-4, 7-5
6-2, 7-5, 6-3 but compatriot Brandon Holt was beaten by , 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 Gabriel Diallo eased past Daniel Altmaier 6-1, 6-2, 6-4
While two matches were suspended: Botic van der Zandschulp vs. Matteo Arnaldi, Van der Zandschulp leading 7-6(4), 7-6(5)
And Giulio Zeppieri vs. Shintaro Mochizuki, Zeppieri leading 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(6)
Arthur Rinderknech has just taken the first set against third seed Alexander Zverev, 7-6(3) in a tiebreak.
Interesting match bubbling up on Centre Court there! Getty Images
Some late results to tell you about: American Ashlyn Krueger (31) beat Mika Stojsavljevic 6-3, 6-2
beat Mika Stojsavljevic 6-3, 6-2 Elise Mertens (24) beat Linda Fruhvirtova 6-4, 6-2
beat Linda Fruhvirtova 6-4, 6-2 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beat Ajla Tomljanović 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
Kateřina Siniaková's clash with Zheng Qinwen has been cancelled for the day. Caoimhe O'Neill/The Athletic
This is what I'm calling the fancy entrance to Centre Court.
Throughout the day visitors stop here to take photos. And you can see why. Look at the ivy-covered walls and colourful planters.
It all looks and feels quintessentially British and as a lot of tennis fans have told me today, from England and elsewhere, this is why they make this sporting pilgrimage.
There's just something about Wimbledon. Getty Images
Comeback on?
Taylor Fritz has just won the third set against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 6-4.
He still trails though and will need to win the next two to progress.
Namely, Taylor Fritz (5) vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on No. 1 Court, and Alexander Zverev (3) vs. Arthur Rinderknech on Centre Court.
Zverev leads 4-3 on serve in the first set. Getty Images
Taylor Fritz (5), two sets down against the unseeded Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, is at least making some headway in the third set.
He leads by a break at 3-2 up and is serving to make it 4-2.
The American has his fifth set point at 7-6 but Mpetshi Perricard with a big shot at serve plus one to make it 7-7 before showing off the deftness of his drop shot to make it 8-7.
Now 8-8! A brilliant inside-in forehand down the line sees Fritz dive full-length to keep it in, and he does, meaning the Frenchman's next shot to his left is beyond his desperate stumble.
Nasty scrape on Fritz's knee for his troubles, too.
9-8... and Mpetshi Perricard takes the second set too! 7-6(8), after he won the first 7-6(6). If fifth seed Fritz is to progress, he will need to go the distance and do it in five sets.
Can the American avoid going two sets down?
Let's find out... Getty Images
Katie Boulter has done it!
She's shocked the ninth seed Paula Badosa on Centre Court!
What a way to start the tournament for the Brit, 28, from Leicester.
Her partner Alex de Minaur plays Roberto Carballés Baena in the first round at 11am BST tomorrow.
British hope Katie Boulter is two points from the match against ninth seed and favorite Paula Badosa.
Into the decider, Boulter won the first set 6-2 before losing the second 3-6.
Now she leads 5-4 and is up 30-0. Three match points at 40-0... Max Mathews
For any latecomers who can't be bothered with the walk from Wimbledon to the train station in the heat...
Ouch, Taylor...
The extremely tall Frenchman Mpetshi Perricard takes the first set 7-6(6).
A really tough first-round draw for Fritz and he is struggling so far.
Taylor Fritz (5) and the unseeded Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard are locked at 6-6 in the first set.
Into a tiebreak we go. Caoimhe O'Neill/The Athletic
I am quickly realising the best thing about being at Wimbledon is wandering around and just following the noise or the crowd.
Court 18 was absolutely packed out this evening as four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka closed out a two sets to love win (6-4, 7-6) over Australia's Talia Gibson.
It is one of the courts where nearby neighbours get to view the tennis for free from their windows.
A perk of living in the neighbourhood.