Vacherot falls to Lehecka in Tokyo semi-final
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Valentin Vacherot's run at the ATP 500 Japan Open ended on Monday with a 6-4, 6-2 semi-final loss to Jiri Lehecka.
Valentin Vacherot's campaign at the Japan Open came to a halt on Monday at the Ariake Coliseum, where Jiri Lehecka beat the Monegasque 6-4, 6-2 to reach the final. The Czech took the first set and controlled the match from there, leaving Vacherot with little chance to find a way back in.
The result also settles a score from last year's Paris Masters, where Vacherot got the better of Lehecka. This time the Czech player was the sharper of the two across both sets, closing out the match in straight sets on the Tokyo hard courts.
For Vacherot and his supporters in Monaco, the Japan Open run still marks another step forward on the ATP tour, with the Monegasque having reached the final four of a 500-level event far from home. Attention now turns to how he responds in his next tournament as he looks to build on the experience gained this week in Tokyo.