Since his heroic run at home at the Monte Carlo Masters 1000, Valentin Vacherot hasn’t really had the opportunity to confirm his good momentum. A left foot injury notably forced him to withdraw before his 2nd round at Roland Garros and to give up Wimbledon. The Monégasque, who was on 4 consecutive defeats, won easily this Monday at the first round of the US Open against Kovacevic. He was competing tonight against Kamil Majchrzak for a place in the 3rd round.
Valentin Vacherot confirms his good form and will be in the 3rd round of the US Open
The Monégasque was playing this Wednesday to confirm his good match from the first round. Facing Polish player Kamil Majchrzak, Valentin Vacherot was the favorite in terms of ranking. His opponent of the day, an irregular player but one who can prove very dangerous, was also on a streak of 4 defeats before competing in the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. The two players had a tough match, from which Vacherot emerged victorious in 4 sets.
In the first set Valentin Vacherot quickly takes control by securing a double break. He has a first opportunity to close it out at 5/2, but his opponent fights back in the set. The Monégasque must ultimately save two more break points before winning 6/4. Despite only 40% first serves, Vacherot proves very effective behind it, with 93% of points won. Aggressive in rallies, he hits 12 winners against 5 for his opponent and achieves 100% success at the net.
Kamil Majchrzak breaks at the start of the second set, but Vacherot immediately catches up. The two players then hold their serves until 5/4. In the end, the Monégasque loses his service and the second set, 6/4. The Pole was slightly more consistent on serve, but especially on return, with 64% of points won on the opponent’s second serve. He also converted his only two break points. Vacherot remains the most aggressive, however, with 12 winners and 6 points won out of 7 at the net, but that wasn’t enough to make the difference.
The third set is the most disputed of the four and undoubtedly the decisive turning point of the match. After a break each at the start of the set, the two players trade blows and fail to break away clearly. Everything comes down to the tie-break. Down 3-2, Valentin Vacherot then proves merciless by winning 5 consecutive points to take the third set. The statistics remain balanced, but the Pole was more enterprising in play, with 17 winners and 88% success at the net. Vacherot, for his part, could rely on his main weapon: his serve, with 5 aces and 81% of points won behind his first serve.
In the final set, Valentin Vacherot quickly takes the lead and maintains his advantage throughout to win 6/2. Still ultra solid on serve, he doesn’t concede any break points and loses only 6 points on his service games. The Monégasque also proves very effective in play, with 14 winners and 100% success at the net. Combative and dominant, Valentin Vacherot concludes the match in four sets: 6/4-4/6-7/6-6/2.
A crucial appointment for Valentin Vacherot in the 3rd round of the US Open
In the first two rounds against Kovacevic (84th) and Majchrzak (73rd), Valentin Vacherot, seeded number 22, wasn’t pushed to his limits to win. His Round of 16, however, promises to be quite different. The Monégasque faces a man in form, at home: Frances Tiafoe. On the verge of the top 10, the American is coming off a final in Cincinnati and is always present in New York, in this particular atmosphere that suits him well. A significant challenge for Valentin Vacherot then, who could meet his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the next round, in case both men win.
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