Jiri Lehecka vs Valentin Vacherot Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Vacherot good value in Paris Masters opener

Vacherot put together one of the most extraordinary tournaments in recent history earlier this month, becoming the first qualifier to win a Masters 1000 title in Shanghai. Vacherot became the first player representing Monaco to win an ATP title by beating cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final - and sensationally, the family members will square off once again in Paris if Vacherot emerges victorious here.

It's not a bad draw for Vacherot, who pushed Taylor Fritz in a close three-setter in Basel last week. Lehecka is very hot and cold, while he still struggles with fitness issues from time to time. Lehecka has never won a main draw match at the Paris Masters, losing in the opening round in straight sets in 2023 and 2024, while he was also crushed 6-2 6-2 last week in Basel by Botic Van De Zandschulp. Vacherot has a great 3-3 record against top 20 players, with two of those defeats coming in three sets. I'm going to back Over 22.5 total games, with Vacherot holding value as the underdog.

This will be the first career meeting between the pair.

Lehecka has registered a 41-21 record on the season and arrives in Paris just two spots off his career-high ranking of No. 16.

It's been a solid overall year for Lehecka - he won his second ATP title to launch the season in Brisbane, while he was also a runner-up at Queen's Club and in Brussel last week, along with reaching the US Open quarter-finals.

The Czech made the Shanghai R16 before running into Rinderknech and launched his indoor swing by making that aforementioned Brussels final, falling in three sets to Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Lehecka lost momentum last week with a poor 2-6 2-6 loss to Van De Zandschulp and now returns to the Paris Masters, where he hasn't won a set in two previous main draw appearances, going down to Jack Draper last year.

Vacherot comes into this contest with a 12-3 record at tour-level for the season, putting together a life-changing tournament in Shanghai to rise from outside the world's top 200 and into the top 50.

It was one of the most memorable tournaments in history, with Vacherot defeating the likes of Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic before taking out cousin Rinderknech in three sets in the final.

The 26-year-old returned to action in Basel last week and put in a very respectable showing given the circumstances, extending World No. 4 Taylor Fritz to three sets in the opening round.

Receiving a wildcard into the Paris Masters this week, Vacherot will be hoping to register his fourth win over a top 20 player this season in the opening round.