He wasn’t even in the Top 200 six months ago. On Thursday Valentin Vacherot came from a set down to beat Hubert Hurkacz 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4 and became the first Monegasque player to reach the quarterfinals of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters in the Open Era.

That milestone reaches back to the tournament’s first Open Era edition in 1969. By advancing to the last eight this week, Vacherot is projected to break into the ATP Top 20 when the new rankings are released next Monday, the first player from his country to reach that group.

Vacherot’s rise over the past six months has been rapid. His breakthrough began in Shanghai last fall, where he won the first ATP title of his career at a Masters 1000 and jumped from No. 204 to No. 40 on October 13, 2025. A few weeks later, on November 3, 2025, he moved from No. 40 to No. 30 after reaching a second consecutive Masters 1000 quarterfinal indoors in Paris.

This week marks his third quarterfinal in the last five Masters 1000 tournaments. Current projections show him moving from No. 23 to No. 19 or No. 20 if his run ends at the quarterfinal stage, to No. 17 with a semifinal appearance, to No. 15 with a final and to No. 12 with a title.

The 27-year-old entered his home event already as the highest-ranked Monegasque in ATP rankings history, which dates back to 1973. With the projected move into the Top 20, Vacherot will set another first for his country and could reach the Top 15 if he continues to advance.

Standing between him and further progress at his home tournament is world No. 6 Alex de Minaur, who earlier beat Belgian qualifier Alexander Blockx 7-5, 7-6 (4). Vacherot’s run in Monte Carlo has altered his career trajectory and positioned him for a landmark improvement in the ATP standings.

He wasn’t even in the Top 200 six months ago. On Thursday Valentin Vacherot staged a comeback from a set down to defeat Hubert Hurkacz 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4 and in doing so became the first Monegasque player to reach the quarterfinals of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters in the Open Era.

That historic milestone extends back to the tournament’s first year in the Open Era, 1969. By reaching the quarterfinals this week, Vacherot is projected to break into the ATP Top 20 when the new rankings are released next Monday, the first player from his country to achieve that ranking.

Vacherot’s rise over the past six months has been rapid. His breakthrough began in Shanghai last fall, where he won the first ATP title of his career at a Masters 1000 event and climbed from No. 204 to No. 40 on October 13, 2025. He then made his Top 30 debut on November 3, 2025, moving from No. 40 to No. 30 after reaching a second consecutive Masters 1000 quarterfinal indoors in Paris.

This week marks his third quarterfinal in the last five Masters 1000 tournaments. Current projections show him moving from No. 23 to No. 19 or No. 20 if his run ends at the quarterfinal stage, to No. 17 with a semifinal, to No. 15 with a final appearance and to No. 12 with a title.

Coming into his home event the 27-year-old already held the distinction of being the highest-ranked Monegasque in ATP rankings history, which dates back to 1973. With his performance in Monte Carlo he is set to become the first player from his country to crack the Top 20, and possibly reach the Top 15 if he continues his run.

Next on the draw is world No. 6 Alex de Minaur, who earlier defeated Belgian qualifier Alexander Blockx 7-5, 7-6 (4). Vacherot now has the opportunity to add further milestones at his home tournament.

Quarterfinal Friday at Monte Carlo brings four matches that should match the event’s pedigree. The clay surface guarantees extended, athletic rallies, and the Masters 1000 status means several of the tour’s biggest names will be on court. The setting — Monaco and neighboring Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France — adds Mediterranean atmosphere when the weather cooperates.

Alexander Zverev meets Fonseca in what will be their first career meeting. The two present a clear stylistic contrast: Zverev uses depth, heavy topspin and his 6’6 reach to control the baseline, while Fonseca attacks with a fearsome forehand; on Thursday his 105-m.p.h. shot left Matteo Berrettini shaking his head. Both players had uneven 2025 seasons but have shown renewal recently — Fonseca reached the fourth round in Indian Wells and Zverev was a Miami semifinalist. Each survived a three-setter in Monte Carlo (Zverev over Cristian Garin, Fonseca over Arthur Rinderknech) and each lost two-set matches to Jannik Sinner earlier this year. Experience and steadiness edge the pick here. Winner: Zverev

Jannik Sinner appears to hold the numbers in his favor against Felix Auger-Aliassime. Sinner is No. 2, Auger-Aliassime No. 7. They met four times in 2025 with Sinner victorious in each meeting. Sinner enters on a 14-match win streak after going 12-0 at Indian Wells and Miami; Auger-Aliassime was 3-2 during the Sunshine Swing. Sinner ceded his first set since February to Tomas Machac on Thursday, while Auger-Aliassime rallied from 0-3 against Casper Ruud to win. Auger-Aliassime has weapons and can take over rallies, but Sinner’s precision tends to expose weaker wings. Winner: Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Bublik meet for the first time. Bublik was enthused after a tight second-set win over Jiri Lehecka and carries a resume that includes beating a Top 2 player (Sinner in Halle) and a Roland Garros quarterfinal in 2025. Alcaraz has shown occasional lapses lately, including an early Miami exit and a dropped set to Tomas Etcheverry, so the Spaniard’s early level on Friday will be decisive. Winner: Alcaraz

Alex de Minaur faces local favorite Vacherot, the Monégasque who has advanced with two three-set wins and a close two-setter, buoyed by home support. “With the crowd and everything, it was really easy to get back in there.” Vacherot credits his “physicality” for that confidence. He closed out Hubert Hurkacz late on Thursday and will meet a fresher, more experienced De Minaur; the Australian’s steadiness should make Vacherot work for every point.