Valentin Vacherot Makes History at Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
The Monégasque player achieves a milestone by advancing to the second round for the first time since 2009.
In a landmark achievement for Monégasque tennis, 259th-ranked Valentin Vacherot defeated Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff, ranked 49th in the ATP, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
This event, held in the picturesque setting of Monte Carlo, marked the first time since 2009 that a local player advanced past the first round, following Jean-René Lisnard's performance in the same competition.
Valentin Vacherot's victory comes just weeks after he triumphed over Nuno Borges in the Davis Cup, signaling a significant rise in his performance against established players in the ATP rankings.
The match lasted only 58 minutes, showcasing Vacherot's dominant play in front of a home crowd.
In his post-match press conference, Vacherot expressed immense joy, describing the victory as a special moment not just for himself, but for his family and his country.
He indicated that he felt confident heading into the match, stating, "There was something in my mind telling me that it would be my day, my week."
His advancement in the tournament places him in the second round against either Grigor Dimitrov, who previously defeated him in the first round last year, or Nicolas Jarry.
Vacherot's success continues a legacy of local talent at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, with his brother Benjamin Balleret having reached the third round in 2006 before being defeated by Roger Federer.
The presence of a large crowd during Vacherot's match underscored the support for local athletes and the significance of his achievements in a prestigious event attended by top-tier tennis talent.
This event, held in the picturesque setting of Monte Carlo, marked the first time since 2009 that a local player advanced past the first round, following Jean-René Lisnard's performance in the same competition.
Valentin Vacherot's victory comes just weeks after he triumphed over Nuno Borges in the Davis Cup, signaling a significant rise in his performance against established players in the ATP rankings.
The match lasted only 58 minutes, showcasing Vacherot's dominant play in front of a home crowd.
In his post-match press conference, Vacherot expressed immense joy, describing the victory as a special moment not just for himself, but for his family and his country.
He indicated that he felt confident heading into the match, stating, "There was something in my mind telling me that it would be my day, my week."
His advancement in the tournament places him in the second round against either Grigor Dimitrov, who previously defeated him in the first round last year, or Nicolas Jarry.
Vacherot's success continues a legacy of local talent at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, with his brother Benjamin Balleret having reached the third round in 2006 before being defeated by Roger Federer.
The presence of a large crowd during Vacherot's match underscored the support for local athletes and the significance of his achievements in a prestigious event attended by top-tier tennis talent.
