Valentin Vacherot’s incredible run to the Shanghai Masters is just one of many outstanding upsets in tennis this year.
Vacherot defeated Holger Rune in the Shanghai Masters quarter-final to confirm his place in the final four and earn him a place in the top 100.
The Frenchman’s run in Shanghai is just one of many success stories from lower-ranked stars in big tournaments.
Here are the five biggest upset performances in tennis this year following on from Vacherot’s great success.
Lois Boisson’s run at 2025 Roland Garros
Lois Boisson performed wonders at the 2025 Roland Garros, reaching the semi-finals of the tournament whilst ranked World No. 361.
The Frenchwoman defeated Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, and Elise Mertens, before having her campaign ended by eventual winner Coco Gauff in the final four.
She became the first Frenchwoman to reach the semi-finals of her home competition since Marion Bartoli achieved the feat in 2011.
The star joined Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati as only the third woman in the Open Era to reach the semifinals of a major on her singles main-draw debut.
Valentin Vacherot’s run at the Shanghai Masters
Vacherot continues to impress at the Shanghai Masters as the World No. 202 has reached the semi-finals of the tournament.
The star has picked up wins against Alexander Bublik, Tallon Griekspoor, and Holger Rune in his best-ever tournament, cracking into the top 100 for the first time.
Vacherot will play Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the Shanghai Masters as he continues his remarkable run in Asia.
The star’s incredible run was only heightened by his cousin Arthur Rinderknech also making the quarter-finals.
Terence Atmane’s shock run to the Cincinnati Open semi-final
Terence Atmane also dispatched Rune during his excellent campaign at the Cincinnati Open as a qualifier.
Atmane also reached the semi-final of the ATP 1000 tournament on the American hard-court swing to help his rise up the rankings.
The Frenchman’s campaign was ended by Jannik Sinner, but he picked up impressive wins against Flavio Cobolli and Joao Fonseca.
He became the first qualifier to reach the Cincinnati Open semifinals since Alexandr Dolgopolov in 2015.
Alexandra Eala’s incredible Miami Open performances
Alexandra Eala’s breakout tournament came on a very big stage at the 2025 Miami Open, where the rising star picked up some of the biggest wins of her career.
The Filipino stunned Iga Swiatek, Madison Keys, and Jelena Ostapenko as she emerged as one of the brightest prospects in the sport.
The star was eventually defeated by Jessica Pegula in the semi-final, but she proved she could compete with the biggest stars in the world.
Eala was also the third wildcard after Justine Henin and Victoria Azarenka to reach the Miami Open semifinals.
Victoria Mboko’s incredible Montreal win
Victoria Mboko’s victory at the Canadian Open was arguably the greatest upset of them all as she went on to lift the trophy.
The Canadian won her home tournament, and she defeated some of the biggest names in the sport to do so.
As a wild card, Mboko toppled Naomi Osaka, Gauff, and Elena Rybakina to lift her debut WTA 1000 trophy.
Mboko has failed to set the world alight since her huge victory, failing to win a single set since lifting the trophy.
