Valentin Vacherot overcomes Jiri Lehecka to make Monegasque tennis history

The 27-year-old downed Lehecka 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to clinch his first ATP Tour crown of 2026 and become the first Monegasque player to win an ATP 500 title since the series began in 2009.

After dropping serve thrice in the opening set, Vacherot crucially saved all five break points he faced across the next two sets to secure the comeback victory. He became the first Monegasque player to win an ATP 500 tournament in the process.

"I ended up playing a really solid second and third set," Vacherot said in his on court interview.

"I had to hold tight in the second set because even until the last game he had break points. Then I started serving much better in the third set and that helped me a lot. It was really important.

"I hit really good shots at the right moments and I think sometimes it's about not playing perfect for the whole match and just playing good when it matters."

Vacherot, who made his name by winning the Shanghai Masters as a qualifier in 2025, defeated the likes of Rafael Jodar, Holger Rune, and Taylor Fritz en route to the Swiss Indoors title.

He collects the full 500 points by winning the Swiss Indoors, as well as 483,335 euro in prize money. That takes him up to world No 24 in the rankings and means he once again enjoys a terrific end to an ATP Tour campaign, after winning his maiden title in Shanghai last year.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz claims fourth title of 2026 with Vienna Open crown