A second title, a top-30 return: Vacherot completes another remarkable ATP comeback

Sunday, 01 November 2026 at 17:43

Valentin Vacherot shouts to the heavens after his victory at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Valentin Vacherot claimed the second title of his career after defeating Jiri Lehecka 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the Swiss Indoors Basel. The Monegasque enjoyed another memorable week on the ATP Tour, securing his first trophy of the season and guaranteeing a return to the top 30 just two weeks after dropping out of that group.

The 27-year-old had endured a difficult campaign, with an injury disrupting a significant part of the clay-court season before further physical problems forced him to miss Wimbledon. He struggled to find consistency during the following months, but his return to hard courts brought a remarkable change in results.

Vacherot had stunned the tennis world a year earlier by winning the Shanghai Masters after coming through qualifying. Although he was unable to defend that title this season, his ranking dropped from the top 15 to No. 32 following his third-round exit in Shanghai. He did not have to wait long to collect another major trophy, however, producing another impressive run to win an ATP 500 event.

Much like in Shanghai, Vacherot defeated several high-profile opponents on his way to the title. His Basel campaign included victories over Rafael Jodar, Holger Rune and Taylor Fritz before he overcame Lehecka in the final. The result gives him his second career title and another significant boost after a challenging season.

Lehecka dominates the opening set

The first set offered little encouragement for Vacherot, who struggled to find his rhythm on serve from the beginning. After saving a break point in his opening service game, the Monegasque lost control of the exchanges as Lehecka secured two consecutive breaks and held serve comfortably.

The Czech quickly established a 4-1 lead, having won both return games and conceded no points in his first three service games. Both players then experienced a brief dip in consistency, exchanging breaks before Lehecka served out the set 6-2.

The statistics highlighted the difference between them. Lehecka won 74% of his service points, compared with just 38% for Vacherot, who needed to find a much higher level if he was to turn the final around.

Vacherot responds to level the final

Vacherot made the necessary adjustments in the second set, improving his first-serve percentage and finding greater consistency behind his delivery. His opportunity arrived in the fourth game, when he converted a break point to take the lead and put pressure on Lehecka.

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That single break proved decisive. Vacherot did not allow his opponent another opportunity to recover the advantage and eventually closed out the set 6-3. His improvement was particularly evident on his first serve, where his points-won percentage increased from 45% in the opening set to 80%.

The Monegasque also showed greater composure under pressure, saving all four break points he faced in the second set. Having recovered from a difficult start, he carried that momentum into the deciding set with the title now within reach.

Vacherot takes control to complete the comeback

Vacherot made an immediate statement in the final set, breaking Lehecka's serve in the opening game to move in front. From that point, his objective was clear: protect his own delivery and force the Czech to chase the match.

Lehecka continued to hold serve relatively comfortably, but Vacherot was also doing enough to maintain his advantage. The Monegasque faced his first break point of the set in the sixth game, but saved it with a strong first serve. No further opportunities came Lehecka's way, leaving him increasingly reliant on his delivery to stay in contention.

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At 5-3, Lehecka had to serve to remain in the match. He initially moved ahead 40-15, but Vacherot responded by winning four consecutive points to complete the comeback and secure the title. After losing the opening set, the 27-year-old had taken control of the final and added another major milestone to his career.

The Basel triumph represents a significant achievement for Vacherot, who has now won two ATP titles in just over a year. After his breakthrough in Shanghai, he has demonstrated that he can compete with and defeat established names on the tour, while his latest victory provides a timely ranking boost heading into the final weeks of the season.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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