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Deadspin | Georgia prevails at Kentucky for first time in 13 tries

Deadspin | Georgia prevails at Kentucky for first time in 13 tries

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Feb 17, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Blue Cain (0) drives to the basket around Kentucky Wildcats center Malachi Moreno (24) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Blue Cain scored 20 points on Tuesday to help Georgia earn a rare road victory over Kentucky, helping the Bulldogs post an 86-78 victory in Lexington, Ky.

Jeremiah Wilkinson added 19 points for Georgia (18-8, 6-7 Southeastern Conference), which snapped a 12-game losing streak at Rupp Arena, winning in Lexington for the first time since March 4, 2009.

Marcus Millender had 14 points and eight assists and Somto Cyril chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds for the Bulldogs, who had dropped five of their previous six games overall.

Otega Oweh led Kentucky (17-9, 8-5) with 28 points, and Collin Chandler followed with 18. Denzel Aberdeen had 14 points for the Wildcats, who shot 12-for-20 (60%) from the free-throw line and committed 13 turnovers while losing their second game in a row.

After Georgia pushed its five-point halftime lead to eight on Kanon Catchings’ 3-pointer, Oweh scored 11 points in the first four minutes of the second half, pulling Kentucky within two.

After a deep 3-pointer from Chandler cut the margin to one, Wilkinson sank a layup and Jake Wilkins completed a three-point play, giving Georgia a 61-55 edge. The run continued as Millender’s triple and subsequent lob to Cyril extended the lead to 11 with 10:56 remaining.

Chandler’s sixth 3-pointer trimmed Kentucky’s deficit to 73-69, but Catchings answered with a triple at the 4:52 mark.

Millender and Aberdeen traded 3-pointers, the latter cutting Georgia’s lead to 81-75 with 3:03 left.

Aberdeen then made three free throws on two trips to the line, narrowing the margin to three with 2:13 to go.

After Oweh dribbled the ball off his foot and out of bounds, Cyril’s offensive rebound and putback layup gave Georgia a five-point cushion with 43 seconds remaining. Kentucky missed 3-point tries on its last two possessions.

Georgia took a 2-0 lead on a pair of Cain free throws before Aberdeen’s floater stamped a 7-0 Kentucky run.

Millender’s deep 3-pointer and Cain’s layup pulled the visitors within a point, but Andrija Jelavic’s dunk and Chandler’s triple began a 7-0 spurt that put Kentucky up 25-17.

The Bulldogs battled back, and Cyril’s thunderous dunk and Millender’s transition trey gave Georgia a 34-31 advantage with 3:25 remaining until the break.

The Bulldogs closed the first half on Wilkinson’s triple in the final seconds to take a 39-34 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Twins pursue sweep of 4-game set against Tigers Apr 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a double during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins already have secured their first series victory of the season. Now they are eager to complete a four-game sweep. Minnesota will aim for its fourth straight win when it faces the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis. The Twins are coming off an 8-6 win over the Tigers on Wednesday night, which followed a 4-2 victory on Tuesday and a 7-3 triumph in the series opener on Monday. Meanwhile, Detroit is eager to stop an early-season slide. The Tigers have lost eight of 12 games to start the season, including each of their past four contests. They are 2-7 on the road. Detroit manager A.J. Hinch knows that something needs to change for his team, which has ambitions to win the American League Central and competing for the World Series after making the playoffs each of the past two years. “Team-wise, you’re always pushing to play winning baseball,” Hinch said. “Right now, we haven’t done that. We’re trying to find ways to get back to our brand of baseball that produces those wins without overreacting.” Colt Keith and Kevin McGonigle have fared well at the plate, but many Tigers hitters have struggled to open the season. Hinch acknowledged that players who have a slump at the start of the season receive disproportionate attention as someone who hits a midseason lull. “It’s a tricky time when you look at guys coming out of the spring,” Hinch said. “They’re hot or they’re cold, or they run into some bad luck or don’t get something to fall, and there’s the psychology that comes with the big board putting your numbers up there.” Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-1, 7.56 ERA) will try to help his team avoid the sweep. He is looking to improve his command after issuing four walks in each of his first two starts of the season. In his 2026 debut, Flaherty allowed three runs (two earned) in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the San Diego Padres on March 29. He did not last any longer on Saturday in his start against the St. Louis Cardinals, who touched him up for five runs on three hits in four-plus innings. Flaherty is 0-1 with a 4.37 ERA in four career starts vs. Minnesota. Twins right-hander Mick Abel (0-2, 11.05 ERA) will try to bounce back from a turbulent start to the season when he gets the ball on Thursday. Abel gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings in a long-relief appearance against the Baltimore Orioles in his season debut on March 29. He allowed four runs in a four-inning start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. Abel, 24, never has faced the Tigers in his brief career. Twins manager Derek Shelton praised his players for their success so far against Detroit, especially for putting up eight runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings on Wednesday against two-time All-Star Framber Valdez. “A four-game series, winning the first three against a team that’s a really good team in our own division (is great),” Shelton said. “Yeah, it was a little bit closer than we expected, but I was really proud of our group.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Twins #pursue #sweep #4game #set #TigersApr 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a double during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins already have secured their first series victory of the season.

Now they are eager to complete a four-game sweep.

Minnesota will aim for its fourth straight win when it faces the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis. The Twins are coming off an 8-6 win over the Tigers on Wednesday night, which followed a 4-2 victory on Tuesday and a 7-3 triumph in the series opener on Monday.

Meanwhile, Detroit is eager to stop an early-season slide.

The Tigers have lost eight of 12 games to start the season, including each of their past four contests. They are 2-7 on the road.

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch knows that something needs to change for his team, which has ambitions to win the American League Central and competing for the World Series after making the playoffs each of the past two years.

“Team-wise, you’re always pushing to play winning baseball,” Hinch said. “Right now, we haven’t done that. We’re trying to find ways to get back to our brand of baseball that produces those wins without overreacting.”

Colt Keith and Kevin McGonigle have fared well at the plate, but many Tigers hitters have struggled to open the season. Hinch acknowledged that players who have a slump at the start of the season receive disproportionate attention as someone who hits a midseason lull.


“It’s a tricky time when you look at guys coming out of the spring,” Hinch said. “They’re hot or they’re cold, or they run into some bad luck or don’t get something to fall, and there’s the psychology that comes with the big board putting your numbers up there.”

Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-1, 7.56 ERA) will try to help his team avoid the sweep. He is looking to improve his command after issuing four walks in each of his first two starts of the season.

In his 2026 debut, Flaherty allowed three runs (two earned) in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the San Diego Padres on March 29. He did not last any longer on Saturday in his start against the St. Louis Cardinals, who touched him up for five runs on three hits in four-plus innings.

Flaherty is 0-1 with a 4.37 ERA in four career starts vs. Minnesota.

Twins right-hander Mick Abel (0-2, 11.05 ERA) will try to bounce back from a turbulent start to the season when he gets the ball on Thursday.

Abel gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings in a long-relief appearance against the Baltimore Orioles in his season debut on March 29. He allowed four runs in a four-inning start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.

Abel, 24, never has faced the Tigers in his brief career.

Twins manager Derek Shelton praised his players for their success so far against Detroit, especially for putting up eight runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings on Wednesday against two-time All-Star Framber Valdez.

“A four-game series, winning the first three against a team that’s a really good team in our own division (is great),” Shelton said. “Yeah, it was a little bit closer than we expected, but I was really proud of our group.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Twins #pursue #sweep #4game #set #Tigers">Deadspin | Twins pursue sweep of 4-game set against Tigers Apr 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a double during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins already have secured their first series victory of the season. Now they are eager to complete a four-game sweep. Minnesota will aim for its fourth straight win when it faces the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis. The Twins are coming off an 8-6 win over the Tigers on Wednesday night, which followed a 4-2 victory on Tuesday and a 7-3 triumph in the series opener on Monday. Meanwhile, Detroit is eager to stop an early-season slide. The Tigers have lost eight of 12 games to start the season, including each of their past four contests. They are 2-7 on the road. Detroit manager A.J. Hinch knows that something needs to change for his team, which has ambitions to win the American League Central and competing for the World Series after making the playoffs each of the past two years. “Team-wise, you’re always pushing to play winning baseball,” Hinch said. “Right now, we haven’t done that. We’re trying to find ways to get back to our brand of baseball that produces those wins without overreacting.” Colt Keith and Kevin McGonigle have fared well at the plate, but many Tigers hitters have struggled to open the season. Hinch acknowledged that players who have a slump at the start of the season receive disproportionate attention as someone who hits a midseason lull. “It’s a tricky time when you look at guys coming out of the spring,” Hinch said. “They’re hot or they’re cold, or they run into some bad luck or don’t get something to fall, and there’s the psychology that comes with the big board putting your numbers up there.” Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-1, 7.56 ERA) will try to help his team avoid the sweep. He is looking to improve his command after issuing four walks in each of his first two starts of the season. In his 2026 debut, Flaherty allowed three runs (two earned) in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the San Diego Padres on March 29. He did not last any longer on Saturday in his start against the St. Louis Cardinals, who touched him up for five runs on three hits in four-plus innings. Flaherty is 0-1 with a 4.37 ERA in four career starts vs. Minnesota. Twins right-hander Mick Abel (0-2, 11.05 ERA) will try to bounce back from a turbulent start to the season when he gets the ball on Thursday. Abel gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings in a long-relief appearance against the Baltimore Orioles in his season debut on March 29. He allowed four runs in a four-inning start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. Abel, 24, never has faced the Tigers in his brief career. Twins manager Derek Shelton praised his players for their success so far against Detroit, especially for putting up eight runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings on Wednesday against two-time All-Star Framber Valdez. “A four-game series, winning the first three against a team that’s a really good team in our own division (is great),” Shelton said. “Yeah, it was a little bit closer than we expected, but I was really proud of our group.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Twins #pursue #sweep #4game #set #Tigers

Deadspin | Blue Jackets head to Buffalo with focus on making late playoff push Apr 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (17) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images With four regular-season games remaining, the Columbus Blue Jackets are desperately trying to stay in playoff contention as they prepare to visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. The Blue Jackets (39-27-12, 90 points) are two points out of the playoff picture in both the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference wild-card standings. They trail the Philadelphia Flyers for third in the division and the Ottawa Senators for the final wild-card spot. Columbus snapped a six-game losing streak (0-5-1) with a 4-3 shootout win over the host Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, a game in which the Blue Jackets twice came from behind to tie the contest. The Blue Jackets and Red Wings were tied in the wild-card race going into the game. “We had to win that game,” Columbus coach Rick Bowness said. “That was a great hockey game between two teams that are obviously very evenly matched.” Defenseman Zach Werenski scored the shootout winner and had a goal and an assist in regulation as he played more than half the game’s 65 minutes (33:26). “This is obviously a massive win,” said Werenski, who grew up in suburban Detroit, rooting for the Red Wings. “We were just focusing on Detroit, but now we’ll take the good stuff from this game and build off it for Buffalo.” Adam Fantilli made Werenski’s shootout heroics possible by tying it 3-3 with 17 seconds left in regulation with goaltender Jet Greaves pulled for the extra attacker. “We got it to overtime, and then Jet was huge in overtime and the shootout,” Fantilli said. The shootout was tied 2-2 after four rounds. Greaves then stopped James van Riemsdyk’s attempt before Werenski ended it. With 80 points (22 goals, 58 assists), Werenski joins Phil Housley and Brian Leetch as the only U.S.-born defensemen to reach that mark in consecutive seasons. The Sabres (48-23-8, 104 points), who have already clinched a playoff berth, moved into first place alone in the Atlantic Division with a 5-3 road win over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens are each two points back of Buffalo, each with a game in hand on the Sabres. “It’s a tight race right there for first in the Atlantic,” Buffalo winger Alex Tuch said. “We want to do whatever we can to try to increase our, I guess, lead now. I guess we’re in first now, but obviously two really good teams chasing us. Just want to stack up some wins, get some points, continue to push and get ready for the playoffs.” Buffalo will play two of its final three regular-season games at home. “It feels like we’ve been in a tight race since December,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “A tight race to get in the picture, then a tight race to move up the standings, and now it’s a tight race to stay up the standings. Our division has been incredibly tough. You look at the strings of games that Montreal put together. You look at Tampa Bay had a real nice run. And we’re all sitting there together.” Buffalo rallied for the win on Wednesday with third-period goals by Tuch (his 31st), Jason Zucker and Zach Benson’s second of the game, which came into an empty net. Zucker also had an assist in the game. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Blue #Jackets #Buffalo #focus #making #late #playoff #pushApr 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (17) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

With four regular-season games remaining, the Columbus Blue Jackets are desperately trying to stay in playoff contention as they prepare to visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.

The Blue Jackets (39-27-12, 90 points) are two points out of the playoff picture in both the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference wild-card standings. They trail the Philadelphia Flyers for third in the division and the Ottawa Senators for the final wild-card spot.

Columbus snapped a six-game losing streak (0-5-1) with a 4-3 shootout win over the host Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, a game in which the Blue Jackets twice came from behind to tie the contest.

The Blue Jackets and Red Wings were tied in the wild-card race going into the game.

“We had to win that game,” Columbus coach Rick Bowness said. “That was a great hockey game between two teams that are obviously very evenly matched.”

Defenseman Zach Werenski scored the shootout winner and had a goal and an assist in regulation as he played more than half the game’s 65 minutes (33:26).

“This is obviously a massive win,” said Werenski, who grew up in suburban Detroit, rooting for the Red Wings. “We were just focusing on Detroit, but now we’ll take the good stuff from this game and build off it for Buffalo.”

Adam Fantilli made Werenski’s shootout heroics possible by tying it 3-3 with 17 seconds left in regulation with goaltender Jet Greaves pulled for the extra attacker.


“We got it to overtime, and then Jet was huge in overtime and the shootout,” Fantilli said.

The shootout was tied 2-2 after four rounds. Greaves then stopped James van Riemsdyk’s attempt before Werenski ended it.

With 80 points (22 goals, 58 assists), Werenski joins Phil Housley and Brian Leetch as the only U.S.-born defensemen to reach that mark in consecutive seasons.

The Sabres (48-23-8, 104 points), who have already clinched a playoff berth, moved into first place alone in the Atlantic Division with a 5-3 road win over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens are each two points back of Buffalo, each with a game in hand on the Sabres.

“It’s a tight race right there for first in the Atlantic,” Buffalo winger Alex Tuch said. “We want to do whatever we can to try to increase our, I guess, lead now. I guess we’re in first now, but obviously two really good teams chasing us. Just want to stack up some wins, get some points, continue to push and get ready for the playoffs.”

Buffalo will play two of its final three regular-season games at home.

“It feels like we’ve been in a tight race since December,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “A tight race to get in the picture, then a tight race to move up the standings, and now it’s a tight race to stay up the standings. Our division has been incredibly tough. You look at the strings of games that Montreal put together. You look at Tampa Bay had a real nice run. And we’re all sitting there together.”

Buffalo rallied for the win on Wednesday with third-period goals by Tuch (his 31st), Jason Zucker and Zach Benson’s second of the game, which came into an empty net. Zucker also had an assist in the game.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Blue #Jackets #Buffalo #focus #making #late #playoff #push">Deadspin | Blue Jackets head to Buffalo with focus on making late playoff push Apr 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (17) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images With four regular-season games remaining, the Columbus Blue Jackets are desperately trying to stay in playoff contention as they prepare to visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. The Blue Jackets (39-27-12, 90 points) are two points out of the playoff picture in both the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference wild-card standings. They trail the Philadelphia Flyers for third in the division and the Ottawa Senators for the final wild-card spot. Columbus snapped a six-game losing streak (0-5-1) with a 4-3 shootout win over the host Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, a game in which the Blue Jackets twice came from behind to tie the contest. The Blue Jackets and Red Wings were tied in the wild-card race going into the game. “We had to win that game,” Columbus coach Rick Bowness said. “That was a great hockey game between two teams that are obviously very evenly matched.” Defenseman Zach Werenski scored the shootout winner and had a goal and an assist in regulation as he played more than half the game’s 65 minutes (33:26). “This is obviously a massive win,” said Werenski, who grew up in suburban Detroit, rooting for the Red Wings. “We were just focusing on Detroit, but now we’ll take the good stuff from this game and build off it for Buffalo.” Adam Fantilli made Werenski’s shootout heroics possible by tying it 3-3 with 17 seconds left in regulation with goaltender Jet Greaves pulled for the extra attacker. “We got it to overtime, and then Jet was huge in overtime and the shootout,” Fantilli said. The shootout was tied 2-2 after four rounds. Greaves then stopped James van Riemsdyk’s attempt before Werenski ended it. With 80 points (22 goals, 58 assists), Werenski joins Phil Housley and Brian Leetch as the only U.S.-born defensemen to reach that mark in consecutive seasons. The Sabres (48-23-8, 104 points), who have already clinched a playoff berth, moved into first place alone in the Atlantic Division with a 5-3 road win over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens are each two points back of Buffalo, each with a game in hand on the Sabres. “It’s a tight race right there for first in the Atlantic,” Buffalo winger Alex Tuch said. “We want to do whatever we can to try to increase our, I guess, lead now. I guess we’re in first now, but obviously two really good teams chasing us. Just want to stack up some wins, get some points, continue to push and get ready for the playoffs.” Buffalo will play two of its final three regular-season games at home. “It feels like we’ve been in a tight race since December,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “A tight race to get in the picture, then a tight race to move up the standings, and now it’s a tight race to stay up the standings. Our division has been incredibly tough. You look at the strings of games that Montreal put together. You look at Tampa Bay had a real nice run. And we’re all sitting there together.” Buffalo rallied for the win on Wednesday with third-period goals by Tuch (his 31st), Jason Zucker and Zach Benson’s second of the game, which came into an empty net. Zucker also had an assist in the game. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Blue #Jackets #Buffalo #focus #making #late #playoff #push

Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot could barely have scripted his second career win ​over a top-five player better after he defeated world ‌number five Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(6), 7-5 ​in front of a joyous home ⁠crowd at the Monte-Carlo Masters on Wednesday.

The victory made the 27-year-old just the second Monegasque, after ‌his half-brother and coach Benjamin Balleret, to reach the Monte-Carlo Masters ‌third round.

It also marked his second ‌win ⁠over a top-five-ranked opponent following ⁠his triumph over 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic en route to his maiden ATP title at ​the Shanghai Masters last ‌year.

READ: Billie Jean King Cup: India bounces back to upset New Zealand, registers first win

“If someone had told me that my first top-five win of the season, second after Shanghai, would be here on ‌a night session, on the centre ​court that I’ve been hitting on since I was six years old, I ⁠wouldn’t have believed it,” Vacherot said on court.

“Maybe people don’t know that I love ‌clay. I grew up playing here for 18 years before going to college and learning how to play on hard courts. But this is where I learned how to play tennis.

“Let’s say I needed ‌a set and a half to get on ​it in the first round. And now my game is back.”

Vacherot, who ⁠rocketed from number 204 in the world to ⁠number 40 after his win in Shanghai and also reached the third ‌round of the Australian Open this year, takes on Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz later ​on Thursday.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Home #hero #Vacherot #thrilled #beat #Musetti #Monte #Carlo">Home hero Vacherot thrilled to beat Musetti in Monte Carlo Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot could barely have scripted his second career win ​over a top-five player better after he defeated world ‌number five Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(6), 7-5 ​in front of a joyous home ⁠crowd at the Monte-Carlo Masters on Wednesday.The victory made the 27-year-old just the second Monegasque, after ‌his half-brother and coach Benjamin Balleret, to reach the Monte-Carlo Masters ‌third round.It also marked his second ‌win ⁠over a top-five-ranked opponent following ⁠his triumph over 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic en route to his maiden ATP title at ​the Shanghai Masters last ‌year.READ: Billie Jean King Cup: India bounces back to upset New Zealand, registers first win“If someone had told me that my first top-five win of the season, second after Shanghai, would be here on ‌a night session, on the centre ​court that I’ve been hitting on since I was six years old, I ⁠wouldn’t have believed it,” Vacherot said on court.“Maybe people don’t know that I love ‌clay. I grew up playing here for 18 years before going to college and learning how to play on hard courts. But this is where I learned how to play tennis.“Let’s say I needed ‌a set and a half to get on ​it in the first round. And now my game is back.”Vacherot, who ⁠rocketed from number 204 in the world to ⁠number 40 after his win in Shanghai and also reached the third ‌round of the Australian Open this year, takes on Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz later ​on Thursday.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #Home #hero #Vacherot #thrilled #beat #Musetti #Monte #Carlo

Billie Jean King Cup: India bounces back to upset New Zealand, registers first win

“If someone had told me that my first top-five win of the season, second after Shanghai, would be here on ‌a night session, on the centre ​court that I’ve been hitting on since I was six years old, I ⁠wouldn’t have believed it,” Vacherot said on court.

“Maybe people don’t know that I love ‌clay. I grew up playing here for 18 years before going to college and learning how to play on hard courts. But this is where I learned how to play tennis.

“Let’s say I needed ‌a set and a half to get on ​it in the first round. And now my game is back.”

Vacherot, who ⁠rocketed from number 204 in the world to ⁠number 40 after his win in Shanghai and also reached the third ‌round of the Australian Open this year, takes on Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz later ​on Thursday.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Home #hero #Vacherot #thrilled #beat #Musetti #Monte #Carlo">Home hero Vacherot thrilled to beat Musetti in Monte Carlo

Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot could barely have scripted his second career win ​over a top-five player better after he defeated world ‌number five Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(6), 7-5 ​in front of a joyous home ⁠crowd at the Monte-Carlo Masters on Wednesday.

The victory made the 27-year-old just the second Monegasque, after ‌his half-brother and coach Benjamin Balleret, to reach the Monte-Carlo Masters ‌third round.

It also marked his second ‌win ⁠over a top-five-ranked opponent following ⁠his triumph over 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic en route to his maiden ATP title at ​the Shanghai Masters last ‌year.

READ: Billie Jean King Cup: India bounces back to upset New Zealand, registers first win

“If someone had told me that my first top-five win of the season, second after Shanghai, would be here on ‌a night session, on the centre ​court that I’ve been hitting on since I was six years old, I ⁠wouldn’t have believed it,” Vacherot said on court.

“Maybe people don’t know that I love ‌clay. I grew up playing here for 18 years before going to college and learning how to play on hard courts. But this is where I learned how to play tennis.

“Let’s say I needed ‌a set and a half to get on ​it in the first round. And now my game is back.”

Vacherot, who ⁠rocketed from number 204 in the world to ⁠number 40 after his win in Shanghai and also reached the third ‌round of the Australian Open this year, takes on Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz later ​on Thursday.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Home #hero #Vacherot #thrilled #beat #Musetti #Monte #Carlo

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