Valentin Vacherot is through to the third round at the Australian Open after beating Rinky Hijikata 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
The Shanghai Masters champion wrote another page of Monegasque tennis history at Kia Arena.
In his debut at the #AusOpen , Valentin Vacherot finds himself in third round!
He defeats Hijikata 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-2 with all moves on display 🕺#AO26 pic.twitter.com/ykjohlcTEy
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2026
Valentin sealed the deal in two hours and 28 minutes, becoming the first player from his country in the third round at a Major. The Monegasque fired 15 aces and had the upper hand behind the first serve.
The better-ranked player fired 44 winners and 37 unforced errors and lost only 23 points on serve. Hijikata grabbed one break in the third set to extend the duel. However, he dropped 38% of the points in his games and failed to follow the rival's pace.
The home player played against 11 break points and gave serve away six times to end his run in the second round. Vacherot had the upper hand in the shortest and mod-range rallies, taming his strokes nicely and sailing over the top.
Rinky Hijikata & Valentin Vacherot, Australian Open 2026© Stream screenshot
World no. 31 broke at the start of the duel and saved four break points in game three to cement the lead. The Monegasque provided another break in game four to extend a great run.
He held at 15 in game seven to wrap up the first part of the duel in style. Valentin stepped in at 2-3 in the second set, rattling off four games to provide back-to-back breaks and take the set 6-3.
Hijikata served well in the third set and finally grabbed a break at 4-4 that allowed him to extend the battle. However, the Monegasque provided four fine holds in the fourth set and restored the order.
Vacherot clinched breaks in games four and eight to emerge at the top and book his place in the third round at a Major for the first time.
