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Valentin Vacherot stuns Alex de Minaur to reach the Monte Carlo semis, setting up a blockbuster clash with Carlos Alcaraz in a dream run on home soil.
Valentin Vacherot’s dream run at the Monte Carlo Masters is not set to face its biggest hurdle (AFP)
There’s a fairytale unfolding in Monte Carlo — and at the centre of it all stands hometown hero Valentin Vacherot.
The local wildcard delivered the performance of his life, outlasting Australian Alex de Minaur 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to storm into the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters.
Playing just minutes from where he grew up, Vacherot — unseeded and unfancied — has now gatecrashed an elite last-four lineup.
And now, Vacherot faces his biggest hurdle yet in his fairytale run: World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
“That sounds amazing,” Vacherot said. “Such an honour for me to be part of the semi-finals with the three best in the world over the last few years.”
A Roller-Coaster Finish
Vacherot burst out of the blocks to lead 4-1, only for De Minaur to claw his way back into the contest. The Australian grabbed the second set, forcing a decider.
That’s when things got dramatic.
Leading in the third, Vacherot found himself staring down the barrel at 0-40 on serve, and somehow saved all three break points, plus a fourth. (Shades of a certain Spaniard on clay, perhaps?)
“I know myself… I drop a bit at the start of the game, then I recover, even from 0-40, thanks to my serve,” he admitted.
He later earned multiple match points before sealing the win with a thunderous forehand, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Just months ago, Vacherot was ranked outside the top 200. Now, he’s projected to climb to No.16 in the live rankings — and is one win away from a Masters final.
Big Guns Roll On
While Vacherot stole the spotlight, the top seeds did their part.
Jannik Sinner cruised past Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4, extending his Masters 1000 winning streak to 20 matches.
Alcaraz was even more ruthless, dismantling Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-0 to stretch his clay-court streak to 16 wins.
Alexander Zverev also advanced after a gritty win over Joao Fonseca.
(with agency inputs)
April 11, 2026, 07:45 IST
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