Valentin Vacherot explains what fans are still missing after Monte-Carlo milestone

Valentin Vacherot grabbed his first top-five win of the year by beating Lorenzo Musetti in Monte-Carlo.

Vacherot has reached two ATP quarter-finals, which has helped him climb to a career-high ranking of world number 23.

Vacherot’s first top five win of the season came at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he beat Lorenzo Musetti.

He followed that up with another solid performance in Houston, reaching the quarter-finals before losing to Ugo Humbert in straight sets.

Valentin Vacherot becomes first Monegasque to defeat Top 10 player at Monte-Carlo

Vacherot became the first Monegasque player in tennis history to pick up a top 10 victory at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

He was pleased with how he played against Musetti, but feels his strengths on clay are still being overlooked by many fans.

After the match, he reflected: “If someone had told me that my first top five win of the season would be here in the night session on this centre court I’ve been hitting on since I’m six years, (I’d say) nothing can beat that.

“Maybe people don’t know that I love clay. I grew up playing here before going to college where I learned to play on hard.

“I needed a set and a half to get on it in the first round. Now my clay-court game is back and ready to roll.”

Having spent much of his childhood training at the site of the tournament, Vacherot may benefit from some local knowledge as he continues his run at his home event.

Vacherot’s draw opens up after Musetti win

Vacherot’s draw has opened up after his win over Musetti, giving him a real opportunity to make a deep run in one of his favourite events.

Musetti wasn’t the only early exit, as Flavio Cobolli was also knocked out by Alexander Blockx in the first round.

With just Alex de Minaur remaining as a seeded player in his section, Vacherot has a clear path to the semi-finals if he can keep up this level of play.

His next match is against Hubert Hurkacz, who recently ended a losing streak with a win over Fabian Maroszan. Hurkacz is playing under a protected ranking after spending much of 2025 sidelined with injuries.

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