Corentin Moutet defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, in the first round of the Queen’s Club Championships.
Their match stretched across two days, as play was suspended when the light faded on Monday evening.
However, it was Moutet who demanded to stop, refusing to play when he was leading 2-1.
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Former British number one Annabel Croft disagreed with the events that led to the suspension of play.
Annabel Croft was ‘appalled’ that Corentin Moutet overruled the umpire and referee at Queen’s
During the BBC’s coverage of Queen’s, Croft shared her thoughts.
“I was quite appalled to be honest with you,” she said.
“I just thought he left the court for quite a period of time, so that ate into the light they had left, and then he categorically sat down and said, ‘I am not playing on, get the supervisor out’. He was 2-1 up.
“James Keothavong made it clear and said we don’t stop at that; we have to stop on an even game, and he said, ‘Well, I’m not playing’.
“He argued with the supervisor and the chair umpire, and at one point, Denise [supervisor] had to say, ‘Please, will you let me speak.’
“And he got his way. I thought this is not right. He said I do not want to come out tomorrow and want to serve, I thought if you do that, that’s an advantage because you are serving first. For [Giovanni] Mpetshi Perricard, that’s unfair, as he’s had to sleep being down 2-1.
“I thought it was bad that player power overruled a referee and an umpire.
“How did that happen?”
Moutet got his wish and secured the win when play resumed on Tuesday, sealing his spot in round two.
Mpetshi Perricard clearly wasn’t best pleased with Moutet’s antics, as the pair shared a notably brief handshake at the end of the match.
The big serving Frenchman, now coached by Greg Rusedski, had hoped to make the most of the grass-court season, but has yet to reach a semi-final on the surface this year.
He will return to action next week in Eastbourne.
Corentin Moutet reacts after beating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at Queen’s
During his post-match interview, Moutet was asked how much the win meant to him.
“So much, the guy is playing incredible, he’s an amazing player, every point is very important because he is serving that good, that it puts so much pressure on my service games,” he said.
Corentin Moutet vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard – Match stats
| Stats | Corentin Moutet | Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard |
| Aces | 3 | 14 |
| Double faults | 1 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 69% | 61% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 75% | 88% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 78% | 54% |
| Break points | 1/6 | 0/3 |
“I’m so happy to make it today, it’s been a long last two months, so I’m happy to get a win here, thanks to all of you for coming both days, and yeah, I’m very happy to get the win here today.”
The interview was quickly derailed when Moutet accidentally (and then not so accidentally) swore, much to the amusement of the Queen’s crowd!
Always entertaining, Moutet will return to action for his second-round match against either Cameron Norrie or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Wednesday, June 17.
