One year after stunning Novak Djokovic in Shanghai, Valentin Vacherot returns to the same court with 1,000 ranking points to defend. The Monaco player enters the 2026 Masters as an unseeded favourite haunted by the ATP rolling system. A semifinal exit in Tokyo adds urgency.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why is Valentin Vacherot defending 1,000 points in Shanghai?
- A: He earned 1,000 ATP ranking points for his deep run last year, which included an upset win over Novak Djokovic, and those points expire this week.
- Q: How does the ATP rolling system impact Vacherot?
- A: The ATP ranking uses a 52-week rolling system, so points drop off after one year. Falling short of last year’s result will reduce his ranking and seeding.
- Q: Is Vacherot seeded for the 2026 Masters?
- A: No, he enters the tournament as an unseeded favorite while carrying defending points pressure.