Shanghai
Vacherot “realizes dreams” makes stunning appearance in Shanghai SF advertising
Monaco qualifier will face Djokovic or Burgess in semi-finals
October 9, 2025
Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images
Valentin Vacherot scored the biggest win of his career, beating Holger Rune in Shanghai.
Andy West
On Thursday afternoon, Valentin Vacherot added another unforgettable moment to his 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters journey. The Monaco qualifier defeated No. 10 seed Holger Rune 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the China ATP Masters 1000.
Despite a tough start, Vaccello, ranked 204th in the world, held on to Rooney in the second set before defeating the ailing Dane in the deciding set to become the second-lowest-ranked semifinalist in Masters 1000 history (since 1990). With a victory that took two hours and 59 minutes, the 26-year-old Vaccello also ensured that he will break into the top 100 of the PIF ATP rankings for the first time on Monday. He moved up 112 spots to No. 92 in the PIF ATP live rankings.
Remember the name 🌟
Ranked 204th in the world @val_vacherot Defeat the runes to reach @SH_Rolex Masters Final four.#rolexshanghaimasters pic.twitter.com/oTVxHiaNpM
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 9, 2025
“I came not as a qualifier, but as a substitute. I wasn’t even sure if I would play in the qualifiers,” Vaccello said. “It’s unbelievable. The last win already meant a lot to me. This win means even more.
“It’s hard not to think about match point and breaking the top 100 at the same time. I know it’s just one step, but I’m trying not to look at the standings for the entire tournament. I’ve read that if I win, I’ll break the top 100, but this is unbelievable to me. I can’t wait. [the semi-final]. I am happy and living my dream. ”
Vaccello dominated Ruane’s body in the final set, during which the world No. 11 twice asked his coach to massage his right thigh. Although the Dane continued to hit the ball hard, Vaccero mustered up the courage to save two break points in the 10th game and then won the second match point to win the biggest victory of his career.
Vaccello has come back from a set down in five of his seven matches in Shanghai so far (two of which were qualifying matches). Next up, he will reach his first tour-level final, where he will face either record four-time champion Novak Djokovic or Zizou Burgess in the Final Four.
“The first set, physically I was really shocked. This was a step above me [what I am used to],” Vaccello said. “I already thought Talon [Griekspoor, in the fourth round]played very well in tennis. I’m already shocked by this. Sascha Bublik, we know how he plays. You can expect any shot at any time. That’s why he’s so good.
“But today I’m shocked [Rune] On defense. I win points against 90% of the players and it’s just a random ball to him. I felt like I was about to get in and make an easy volley. So the physical confrontation in the first set was very intense. My lungs were kind of screaming, but that helped me a lot in the second set because I just went to change and it helped me play more freely. ”
Vaccello, who is already the first man in Masters 1000 history to reach the Monaco quarter-finals, extended his record by converting two of his four break points against Ruane, according to Infosys ATP Statistics. He is the second qualifier in 2025 to reach the semifinals of the Masters 1000m, following Terence Atmane who also reached the semifinals in Cincinnati in August.
