Fritz downs Shanghai champion Vacherot in Basel

Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot was brought back down to earth as he suffered a narrow defeat by top seed Taylor Fritz in the Swiss Indoors first round in Basel on Wednesday.

Fritz battled to a 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 victory over the Monegasque who became the lowest-ranked player to win an ATP 1 000 tournament in China earlier this month.

Just waiting for the right moment 💥@Taylor_Fritz97 | #SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/XnPh8t3NPN

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 22, 2025

Vacherot climbed 165 places in the world rankings from 204th to 39th courtesy of his history-making maiden tour title.

He initially carried on from where he left off, breaking American Fritz twice to take the opening set in Basle.

Turning defense into attack 😮‍💨@val_vacherot | #SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/ExThVmSZfM

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 22, 2025

World No 4 Fritz needed eight set points before eventually securing the second set in a tie-break.

Vacherot again fought back from a break down in the third but his resistance was finally ended when he dropped serve in the 12th game.

Fritz will next face Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the last 16 on Thursday.