Vacherot back in a final a year after Shanghai as Fritz’s Turin hopes fade

Valentin Vacherot of Monaco reached his first final since his Shanghai Masters title a year ago, beating American Taylor Fritz 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Basel ATP 500 on Saturday. Shanghai had been the only final of his career before this week. He needed 1 hour 27 minutes to add a second.

Vacherot won the Shanghai Masters in October 2025 as a qualifier, beating Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final. He reached a career-high ranking of No. 17 in April 2026. He had not reached a final this season, and the win took his record to 25-17.

In Basel, he found that level again. In the final, he will face eighth seed Jiri Lehecka, who came from a set down to beat Jan-Lennard Struff 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

One break each, then a late one

Vacherot broke Fritz in the opening game. Fritz broke back to level at 2-2, and neither man dropped serve again in the set. Vacherot took the tie-break 7-5, converting his first set point after 51 minutes.

In the second set, he saved a break point in his first service game. He then broke at 4-3, on his third break point, to lead 5-3. Fritz saved two match points before Vacherot converted the third.

Vacherot held 10 of his 11 service games and hit 26 winners to Fritz’s 20. He landed 74 percent of his first serves and won 78 percent of the points behind them.

The win reversed the result of their only previous tour meeting. Fritz beat him 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 in the first round in Basel last year.

Vacherot opened his week by beating Argentina’s Mariano Navone 6-3, 7-6 (4). He then beat Spain’s Rafael Jodar 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-6 (5). In the quarter-finals, he beat Denmark’s Holger Rune 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Next week, he faces Novak Djokovic in the first round of the Paris Masters 1000.

A costly defeat for Fritz

For Fritz, the defeat came at the worst moment in the race for Turin. The American, seed No. 6, stayed on 2,895 points in the Race to Turin, in 12th place. Jodar held ninth place with 3,209 points. With Jannik Sinner out for the rest of the season, ninth place is the last place in Turin this year.

A run to the final would have taken Fritz to 3,025 points, and the title to 3,195.

Fritz had reached four finals this season without winning a title. The latest came in Lyon, where he lost to Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-4. Fritz left Basel with the gap to Turin still open. Vacherot left it one win away from another title.

Basel 2026 semi-finals

• Valentin Vacherot (MON) d. Taylor Fritz (USA, 6) 7-6 (5), 6-3
• Jiri Lehecka (CZE, 8) d. Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4

Vacherot’s path to the final

• First round: d. Mariano Navone (ARG) 6-3, 7-6 (4)
• Second round: d. Rafael Jodar (ESP, 3) 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-6 (5)
• Quarter-final: d. Holger Rune (DEN) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
• Semi-final: d. Taylor Fritz (USA, 6) 7-6 (5), 6-3

Fritz’s path to the semi-final

• First round: d. Rinky Hijikata (AUS) 6-4, 7-6 (3)
• Second round: d. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 6-4, 6-3
• Quarter-final: d. Arthur Fils (FRA, 2) 6-2, 2-0 ret.
• Semi-final: lost to Valentin Vacherot (MON) 7-6 (5), 6-3