Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot has been eliminated from the Shanghai Masters after losing 6-4, 6-2 to American Tommy Paul in the third round on Monday, October 12, ending his hopes of defending the title he won in spectacular fashion last year.
The 27-year-old Monegasque entered the tournament as the reigning champion after his remarkable breakthrough victory in Shanghai in 2025. However, Paul proved too strong in their encounter, winning in straight sets to bring Vacherot’s title defence to an end.
The defeat also ended Vacherot’s run of ten consecutive victories in Shanghai, including matches played during qualifying for last year’s tournament.
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Paul established his advantage in the opening set, winning 6-4 before taking the second 6-2 to secure his place in the fourth round.
The result carries significant consequences for Vacherot’s world ranking. Having climbed to a career-high position of 14th in the ATP rankings, he is now projected to fall to around 32nd following his early elimination. The drop reflects the ranking points he will lose after being unable to repeat last year’s title-winning performance.
Despite the setback, Vacherot’s progress over the past year has established him as one of Monaco’s leading sporting figures. His Shanghai triumph in 2025 marked a breakthrough on the ATP Tour, while his subsequent performances have helped him consolidate his position among the world’s top players.
The Monegasque will now look to regroup as the season approaches its conclusion, with further opportunities to strengthen his ranking in the remaining tournaments.
