The latest hot breakout player of the ATP World Tour is Valentin Vacherot who has shockingly reached the semifinals of Shanghai Rolex Masters. The 26 year old qualifier from Monaco has beaten Djere, Bublik, Griekspoor, Medvedev, Rune in the main draw and will play Novak Djokovic in the semis next round.
In qualies Vacherot barely survived Basavareddy 67 64 62 and Draxl 46 76 64.
Before this remarkable explosion in Shanghai, the 204th ranked Vacherot had a 12-9 career ATP record and his best ranking was 110 last year.
There was no indication this improbable run was coming from Vacherot. He lost first round in his previous tournament in St. Tropez Challenger, to a guy ranked 311. named Bertrand. Also he lost in late August at the Manacor Challenger in the round of 16 to Arizona University’s Jay Friend, who was ranked 874.
But twists of fate and astounding results in pro tennis can happen at any time and like miracle architects of the past George Bastl, Matija Pecotic, Melanie Oudin, Emma Raducanu, Evgeny Donskoy, Jerome Haehnel, Peter Doohan, John Millman… Valentin Vacherot is just the latest example of an obscure player who can suddenly emerge and play top ten caliber tennis.
By the way, Jay Friend, currently ranked 743, just upset Michael Mmoh at Fairfield Challenger yesterday 62 76.
Next it’s Robin Bertrand’s turn to break out. Or will it be Oliver Crawford, Michael Zheng, Stefan Kozlov, Jakub Paul, Andrea Collarini, Luca Potenza, Karue Sell, Andrew Fenty, Brandon Holt, Daniel Milavsky, Cooper Williams, Johannus Monday, Murphy Cassone or Dmitry Popko?
Monaco · Novak Djokovic · Shanghai Rolex Masters · Valentin Vacherot
Cory · October 11, 2025 at 8:57 am
Reminds me of Aslan Karatsev… What happened to him? Is he hurt? Ranking dropped to 250-ish…
Scoop, do you see any value in Djokovic taking half a year off to rest the body and returning? He’s just so banged up right now. I still think he’s got plenty of top 10 tennis left in him – even this week banged up he proved that.
Can you clarify how to protect ranking points for an extended period? Are you “declared” injured to get that?
Scoop Malinowski · October 11, 2025 at 9:19 am
“How do you feel after this match, how much did you risk to continue, and can I just ask you maybe next week you will just rest or you think to go to Arabia?”
Novak: “I want to congratulate Valentin for reaching his first Masters final. Going from qualifications, it’s an amazing story. I told him at the net that he’s had an amazing tournament, but more so his attitude is very good, and his game was amazing as well.
So it’s all about him. I wish him all the best in the finals, and the better player won today.”
“Can you talk about your physical condition?”
Novak: “No. Next question, please.”
Scoop Malinowski · October 11, 2025 at 9:29 am
Not sure if Djokovic is really hurting or it’s an illusion. The Munar match he looked dead but won in three. I saw Djokovic vs Monfils first ever match at US Open both were teenagers, Djokovic collapsed twice in set five for five minutes each. I honestly thought he was dying of a stroke or something that’s how dead and broken physically he looked. He got up and won the match. I learned then Djokovic has some serious acting skills ) Also, did you notice Prince Albert’s wife in Vacherot’s box? So she flew all the way over from Monaco, she had to know the script was for Vacherot to win. I know who she is because she was at the Monte Carlo doubles final when Guinard of France and the Monaco guy Aranedeo won the title in a big upset. I think Djokovic is very fit and will be fine for AO. PR is a curious thing, I remember Amir Weintraub got some direct entry into US Open qualies once or twice even though he was gone for like two years, retired. I’ve seen a few seemingly retired players PR there way back in. Brooksby was supposedly banned but I think he used some PR too. Not sure how PR works though. Looks like the former world no. 14 Karatsev is done at 32, his last match was early August in a Challenger in Poland, he lost to Italian teen Federico Cina 60 63, he’s ranked 273.
Steve · October 11, 2025 at 3:09 pm
Amazing losing efforts by Djokovic and Medvedev(though I wish he’d stop yelling at umps after every loss). Another element in this twist of fate is that Vacherot and Rinderknech are cousins and attended college together –so says the Google machine.
Karatsev had a curious rise during coof times but I don’t mind a ball basher on the scene but Safiullin fine-tuned that style.
Scoop Malinowski · October 11, 2025 at 4:14 pm
Steve, this Shanghai final is the most unexpected or unlikely ever for a 1000. I can’t even think of a more bizarre one. Sadly a lot of bettors lost backing Djok and Med but a small few pocketed a fat payday if they bet on Vach or Rinderknech. Hope they don’t have to evaluate the betting patterns of these two shocking semis.
Steve · October 13, 2025 at 3:31 pm
Gasquet is playing UTS Hong Kong. Tomorrow he plays the light weight phenom Jerry Shang. Let’s GO!!!
Scoop Malinowski · October 13, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Gasquet is supposed to be retired ) Rather see Gasquet play than Sinner or some other top 25 players. That will be a good match.
Scoop Malinowski · October 13, 2025 at 4:41 pm
So Vacherot lost in 16 Challengers all year (he made one final and one semi) and then all the sudden he can qualify and win a 1000 (his second 1000 of the year, beat Struff, lost to Dimitrov in Monte Carlo). So the takeaway is 1000s are easier than Challengers )
Sam · October 14, 2025 at 5:23 am
I think Djokovic is very fit and will be fine for AO.
Scoop, so many people seem to be wanting to stick a fork in him. 🍴 So you don’t think he’s done just yet?
Steve · October 14, 2025 at 5:54 am
It’s also the end of the year. The top players are tired and brunt out. Vacherot looked a lot fresher than hisoppoenents and he can serve 135. Nice combo at this time of year.
Scoop Malinowski · October 14, 2025 at 8:44 am
Sam, Djokovic wants to play in 26 and he also wants to finish at the 28 Olympics in Los Angeles. That is his master plan, but plans do sometimes go awry. Even with a limited schedule he’s still a top 5 player which is phenomenal, he is certainly capable of winning anything with some luck and especially if Sinner truth does come out and he gets banned.
Scoop Malinowski · October 14, 2025 at 8:55 am
Steve, who knows if Vacherot is clean? Also he’s played a ton of tournaments this year and Davis Cup too. He never won a Challenger all year and lost early in the majority of them.
Steve · October 16, 2025 at 4:39 am
I assume to top players play more tennis because they get to the tail end of tournaments usually but am not sure.
UTS was excellent once again. Was cool to see Jenson BRooksby play in it and I hope Jerry Shang can rise to get direct entry into slams, he really has beautiful technique.
Scoop Malinowski · October 16, 2025 at 9:10 am
Steve, there is no doubt Shang will be top 50 minimum. How did Kyrgios coaching Gasquet work out? What exactly was Nick’s role in this UTS, sideshow clown? How was the overall presentation? Still with the loud music?
Sam · October 23, 2025 at 4:23 am
he is certainly capable of winning anything with some luck
Scoop, as it so often goes, just when we’re ready to totally count him out, that’s probably when Djokovic pulls his next big surprise. 🤩
and especially if Sinner truth does come out and he gets banned.
Oh, come on now—the truth is that Sinner’s just an adorable choirboy who wants nothing more than to play for the love of the sport. 🙊
Scoop Malinowski · October 23, 2025 at 8:36 am
Sinner needs new scriptwriters. If he has his own personality, his puppetmasters should just let him reveal it. The current arrangement is the most boring charade I’ve ever seen in 30 years of following pro tennis.
Sam · November 2, 2025 at 4:48 am
Sinner needs new scriptwriters.
Well, he certainly does seem like a box-office turkey. 🦃
Scoop Malinowski · November 2, 2025 at 8:00 am
Sinner and Carlos are doing an exo in Korea in early January, the money split should not be 5050 but 7525 for Carlos.