Imagine being just two points away from elimination, only to go on and make history. That’s exactly what happened to Valentin Vacherot at the Rolex Shanghai Masters—a story so incredible, it’s hard to believe. But here’s where it gets even more jaw-dropping: Vacherot, then ranked a modest No. 204 in the PIF ATP Rankings, not only survived but became the lowest-ranked champion in ATP Masters 1000 history. How did he pull off such a feat? Let’s dive in.
On October 17, 2025, the tennis world was buzzing about Vacherot’s miraculous run in Shanghai. Yet, few knew just how close he came to being knocked out in the qualifying rounds. In the second round of qualifying, Vacherot faced off against Liam Draxl, a former Texas A&M standout who pushed him to the absolute brink. Draxl, now ranked No. 118, shared exclusive insights with ATPTour.com, revealing just how razor-thin the margin was.
“We were tied at five-all in the tie-break, and he pulled off a first-serve return winner that was nothing short of heroic,” Draxl recalled. “I served and volleyed, but he countered with a cross-court angle winner that left me stunned. Then he unleashed a massive serve to clinch the breaker. It was a high-level battle.”
And this is the part most people miss: In the deciding set, Draxl had a break point at 4-3, but Vacherot fired a 225 km/h serve wide, saving the match. According to Infosys ATP Stats, just five points separated the two players over two hours and 48 minutes of intense play. Vacherot’s ability to save two of four break points proved decisive in his narrow escape.
“After that match, I thought, ‘This guy could go far in the main draw,’” Draxl admitted. “But to see him win the whole thing? It’s literally unbelievable. A crazy run for Val.”
But here’s the controversial part: Was Vacherot’s victory a testament to his skill, or did luck play a bigger role than we’re willing to admit? After all, he needed withdrawals just to enter the qualifying field. Is his historic win a fluke, or the rise of a future star? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Beyond the drama, there’s a heartwarming layer to this story. Draxl and Vacherot share a history dating back to their college tennis days—Draxl at the University of Kentucky and Vacherot at Southeastern Conference rival Texas A&M. “It’s amazing to see SEC players like Val and others breaking into the Top 100,” Draxl said. “It gives me hope that I can follow in their footsteps soon.”
Vacherot’s journey from near-elimination to champion isn’t just a tale of resilience—it’s a reminder that in tennis, anything can happen. But what do you think? Was Vacherot’s win a stroke of genius, or did luck tip the scales in his favor? Share your thoughts below!
