Vacherot fights back to win on home soil at Monte-Carlo Masters
Valentin Vacherot staged a remarkable comeback in Monte-Carlo to reach the second round after defeating Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in three sets.
Monegasque player Valentin Vacherot produced an impressive comeback on Monday to reach the second round of the Monte-Carlo Masters, defeating Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in three sets (5–7, 6–2, 6–1).
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Playing in front of a home crowd on Court Rainier III, the world No. 23 endured a difficult start, losing the first set and falling 2–0 behind in the second, facing a potential double break.
At that stage, an early exit seemed likely.
But the momentum shifted dramatically.
Spurred on by strong support from the stands, Vacherot rallied, raising his arms to the crowd and igniting the atmosphere.
From that moment, he went on an extraordinary run, winning 11 consecutive games to take control of the match.
Confidence returned as the Monegasque found his rhythm, while Cerúndolo struggled to respond.
Vacherot eventually sealed victory after 2 hours and 25 minutes, completing a remarkable turnaround.
Speaking after the match, he paid tribute to the crowd’s role in his performance.
“It’s thanks to them that I won,” he said, highlighting the boost he received during the turning point of the match.
He now faces a major challenge in the second round, taking on Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, the fourth seed and 2025 finalist, in what promises to be a highly charged encounter.