Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot has made headlines at the Shanghai Masters by reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal. Ranked 204 in the world and entering the tournament as a qualifier, Vacherot’s achievement marks him as the first player from Monaco to advance to a tour-level quarterfinal. The 26-year-old displayed remarkable tenacity during his match against 27th seed Tallon Griekspoor, triumphing with a score of 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 in a grueling two-hour and 22-minute contest that concluded just before 1 a.m.
Vacherot’s Impressive Journey
Throughout the tournament, Vacherot has shown incredible skill and determination by eliminating three seeded opponents in succession. His victories include earlier wins over 14th seed Alexander Bublik and 20th seed Tomas Machac. Prior to this week, he had only achieved one main-draw match win at ATP Tour level, but his impressive performance has catapulted him to No. 130 in the live rankings, making him the lowest-ranked quarterfinalist in the history of the tournament.
This remarkable run is a testament to Vacherot’s resilience, especially considering his comeback from a six-month injury layoff last year. He also faced a fall during Wimbledon qualifying this season, which briefly threatened to derail his progress. Vacherot has described this week as a significant payoff for all the setbacks he has overcome, showcasing his perseverance and dedication to the sport.
Looking ahead, Vacherot is set to face 10th seed Holger Rune in the quarterfinals. This matchup promises to be another thrilling test for the young player. Additionally, Vacherot’s cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, remains in the tournament after defeating Alexander Zverev on Monday. Rinderknech is set to compete against 15th seed Jiri Lehecka on Wednesday, making for an exciting dynamic as both relatives continue their quests in the tournament.
Valentin Vacherot has been coached full-time by his half-brother, Benjamin Balleret, since 2022, which has undoubtedly contributed to his recent success. As he continues to rise through the ranks, tennis fans will be eager to see how far this talented player from Monaco can go at the Shanghai Masters.