Monte Carlo : Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot delivered a memorable performance on home soil, defeating world number five Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(6), 7-5 to reach the third round of the Monte-Carlo Masters on Wednesday.
Roared on by a passionate home crowd, the 27-year-old produced one of the standout wins of his career. The victory made him just the second Monegasque player—after his half-brother and coach Benjamin Balleret—to advance to the third round in Monte Carlo.
It also marked Vacherot’s second win over a top-five opponent, following his breakthrough victory against Novak Djokovic during his run to a maiden ATP title at the Shanghai Masters last year.
Speaking after the match, Vacherot reflected on the emotional significance of the moment, having grown up playing on the Monte Carlo clay courts since childhood. After a slow start in the tournament, he said his game had now “come back” at the perfect time.
Vacherot, who surged from world number 204 to 40 after his Shanghai triumph and also reached the third round of the Australian Open earlier this year, will next face Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the next round.
