Vacherot’s elite run continues at the Australian Open, clash vs. Shelton next
Valentin Vacherot’s defeated local favorite Rinky Hijikata 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, a result that serves less as a surprise and more as a logical continuation of an elite 12-1 run.
Valentin Vacherot, Australia 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz
Valentin Vacherot clinical transition from the Challenger circuit to the ATP’s biggest stages was reaffirmed on Thursday as he secured a place in the Australian Open third round. In his main draw debut in Melbourne, the 26-year-old Monégasque defeated local wildcard Rinky Hijikata 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. The result is less a surprise and more a continuation of a highly efficient baseline game that has dominated the elite level since late 2025.
The stats from Kia Arena tell the story of a player operating with top-tier confidence. Vacherot struck 13 aces and won 82% of his first-serve points, effectively neutralizing the home crowd’s energy early on.
While Hijikata managed to snatch the third set, Vacherot’s response was immediate and focused. “For the first time in my life, I lost the 3rd set and I didn’t lose the match,” Vacherot noted afterward, highlighting a newfound mental durability that has characterized his recent results.
Vacherot’s current form is backed by a staggering record in the sport’s most significant events. In his last 13 matches across Masters 1000 and Grand Slam levels, he holds a 12-1 record. This stretch includes:
- Shanghai Masters: 7-0 (Winner from Qualies, def. Djokovic and Rune)
- Paris Masters: 3-1 (Quarterfinalist)
- Australian Open: 2-0 (Third Round debut)
Starting late September 2025 at world No. 204, Vacherot has executed one of the most efficient ranking climbs in modern tennis. He entered Melbourne at No. 31 and currently sits at a live ranking of No. 26. If he maintains this 92% win rate at the elite level, a Top 15 debut in 2026 appears to be a statistical probability rather than just an ambition.
Next Step: Shelton
The Monégasque now faces a likely third-round encounter with world No. 8 Ben Shelton. Shelton holds a 1-0 head-to-head lead, having defeated Vacherot in a tight three-set battle at a Las Vegas Challenger in 2022. Ben Shelton (No.7) moved into the Australian Open third round with an emphatic 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over world No. 182 Dane Sweeny.
The American was at his clinical best, particularly in a lopsided second set where he fired nine aces and won every single service point in a lightning-fast 26 minutes. While Sweeny offered a brief resistance in the third, Shelton quickly snuffed out the threat by winning five consecutive games to close the match.
