SHANGHAI, Oct 5, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The United States' Taylor Fritz on Sunday became the highest-ranked player to be dumped out of the Shanghai Masters, falling to 37th-ranked Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 7-5.

On a hot and humid afternoon, the world number four seemed lethargic and struggled to get into his stride, unnerved after Mpetshi Perricard nearly broke twice in the fifth game.

That preempted a streak of brilliance that saw the neon orange-clad Frenchman fire three aces to hold the sixth, then break in the seventh.

A closely fought second set came to a head in the 11th game when a double fault by Fritz handed Mpetshi Perricard the advantage, which he swiftly converted with a backhand.

Finishing the match off with two aces, the big-serving 22-year-old said he had learnt a lot during the match.

"I'm really happy to get the win," he said, still catching his breath.

Denmark's Holger Rune, ranked 11th in the world, beat France's Ugo Humbert, 6-4, 6-4.