Shelton messaged Mpetshi Perricard after their clash, with the Frenchman beating the American 6-4, 7-6(7-4).

Both players have since moved on to the Paris Masters, where the latter has just beaten another American in Frances Tiafoe.

The Frenchman overcame US Open semi-finalist Tiafoe 6-7(5-7), 7-6(7-4), 6-3 in their first round thriller.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard makes tennis history at Paris Masters

Ranked 50th in the world in Switzerland, Mpetshi Perricard only just made history at the Basel Open, and he has just done the same with his victory over Tiafoe.

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As per OptaAce, he is now the first French player to win five of his first six matches against top-20 opponents since the ATP rankings began in 1973.

14th seed Frances Tiafoe falls to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

Thanks to his maiden ATP 500 title in Basel, rising star Mpetshi Perricard climbed a huge 19 places in the rankings to 31st.

And he looks set for another rise should he continue on his current trajectory, having just knocked out Paris Masters 14th seed Tiafoe.

The American made it all the way to the final four in his home Grand Slam last month, but he has really struggled for form since then.

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Early exits were suffered at the Japan Open and Shanghai Masters, with quarter-final and round of 16 finishes then coming at the Almaty Open and Vienna Open respectively.

Mpetshi Perricard meanwhile continues his Paris Masters with a tricky test against Karen Khachanov, who just lost the Vienna Open final to Jack Draper.

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