Majchrzak defeats Mpetshi Perricard to set up Djokovic second round
The Polish survives a mid-match surge and a third-set deficit to overcome the towering Frenchman 6-3, 1-6, 7-5.
KAMIL MAJCHRZAK, 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
Kamil Majchrzak secured a career-defining opportunity on Thursday evening, outlasting rising French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a physical three-set battle at the BNP Paribas Open. The 30-year-old Pole (ranked No. 57) showed remarkable poise under pressure to clinch a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 victory, marking a gritty start to his campaign in the California desert.
The encounter was a classic contrast in styles that kept the Stadium crowd on edge. Majchrzak started with surgical precision, neutralizing the Frenchman’s massive serve to take the opening set 6-3. However, the momentum shifted violently in the second. The 22-year-old Mpetshi Perricard (No. 54), standing at 6’7″, found his range and overwhelmed the Pole with raw power, racing through the set 6-1.
Next Stop: Novak Djokovic
The drama peaked in the deciding set. Mpetshi Perricard appeared to have the upper hand, breaking early to establish a 4-3 lead with his serve to follow. At that pivotal moment, however, the young Frenchman’s efficiency faltered.
Sensing the opportunity, Majchrzak intensified his return game, breaking back immediately to level the score. As the pressure mounted at 6-5, the Pole’s veteran consistency proved the difference; he broke once more on his first match point to end the contest after nearly two hours of play.
The victory sets the stage for a high-profile second-round matchup against world No. 3 and five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic.
