Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard explains why there will be ‘a lot of emotion’ facing Ben Shelton in the Basel Open final

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The huge serving Giovanni Mpteshi Perricard boomed past Holger Rune in Basel to reach his maiden ATP 500 final.

Standing high at over two meters, the Frenchman slammed 17 aces as he continued his breakout season with a 7-6(6), 6-4 upset over Holger Rune.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard improved to 4-1 against top 20 players in the ATP Rankings and advanced to his biggest career final at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.

In his way of his biggest title to date is 22-year-old Ben Shelton, with the American defeating another rising Frenchman Arthur Fils.

Giovanni Mpteshi Perricard weighs up dangerous Ben Shelton

An incredible year for the young Frenchman has seen him topple a handful of top American stars.

An upset over Sebastian Korda at Wimbledon came just weeks after the 21-year-old shocked Shelton at Queens.

An incredibly young last contingent in Basel marked the first time an ATP Tour event featured four players in the semi-finals born in the 2000s.

Speaking to the ATP ahead of Sunday’s final, Mpetshi Perricard tempered expectations somewhat.

“It’s always 50/50 when you step on the court,” he said. “Yeah, I won [against him], but one time and it was on grass (referencing his Queen’s Club win earlier this year.) Now it’s a different match. We are in the final, it’s going to be tough.

“There is a lot of emotion because both of us want to get the title. I will try my best, he will try his best, but at the end there is only one winner. It’s going to be fun.”

• READ MORE: Ben Shelton becomes first American in 26 years to match Andre Agassi feat in Basel Open win

A battle of the huge servers

The Frenchman was hitting his spots in his semi-final, thundering down serves of up to 235km/h.

His American opponent is equally known for his huge game and punishing ball-striking, hitting eight aces and facing no break-points throughout his semi-final.

A 6-3, 7-6 defeat in June saw the Frenchman thump 16 aces past Shelton, with the American seven behind on nine.

Despite some impressive form over the top players, the Frenchman still enters second favorite.

However, with his serve, at points, totally unplayable, if he finds some early rhythm, it might only take a couple of shaky Shelton games to see him take the title.