Monaco's Valentin Vacherot is relishing a semi-final showdown with world number one Carlos Alcaraz at the Monte Carlo Masters, playing on home soil in front of friends and family.
Vacherot, previously ranked outside the top 200, advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. He is the first Monegasque player to reach this stage at Monte Carlo.
In the other semi-final, world number two Jannik Sinner will face third-ranked Alexander Zverev.
"It's such an honour to be part of the semi-finals with the three best players of the past few years," Vacherot stated after his win. "I can't wait to play Carlos in my hometown, it's amazing. The guys in the crowd chanting, they're my best friends. I'm so lucky to have a tournament in my club."
Vacherot is projected to enter the top 20 of the ATP rankings next week. Alcaraz acknowledged Vacherot's impressive rise, noting his "lot of motivation playing at home."