In the heart of Astana’s Beeline Arena, where temperatures outside dipped to brutal lows, something far warmer and more thrilling transpired on court this weekend.
In a dramatic twist befitting the Davis Cup’s history, Monaco, the diminutive principality staged one of the competition’s most memorable upsets.
Against all odds, the Monegasques toppled Kazakhstan 3–1 in the 2026 Davis Cup Group I play-offs, punching their ticket to the prestigious Group I stage this September.
From Underdogs to Unforgettable
Monaco entered the tie as clear outsiders. Ranked 44th in the world against Kazakhstan’s 31st-ranked nation, they faced a daunting challenge, especially with Alexander Bublik, the fiery and unpredictable world No. 10 leading the Kazakh lineup.
The opening day in Astana seemed to favour the hosts. Bublik dispatched Monaco’s Hugo Nys with authority, 6-0, 6-3, while Valentin Vacherot responded impressively by blanking Alexander Shevchenko 6-0, 6-3 to level the tie at 1-1.
But day two belonged to Monaco in stunning fashion.
Epic Doubles Marathon Sets the Stage
Before the tie’s defining singles match, the doubles showdown ignited the arena. Monaco’s seasoned duo, Romain Arneodo and Hugo Nys, stepped onto court against Bublik and Beibit Zhukayev. What followed was nearly three hours of relentless intensity, with all three sets being decided by tiebreaks. In a contest that swung on fine margins, the Monegasque pair prevailed, seizing a crucial 2–1 lead and shifting momentum fully in their favour.
Vacherot’s Cold-Blooded Climax
Then came the moment central to this triumph: the decisive match between Monaco’s talisman Valentin Vacherot and Kazakhstan’s top singles star Alexander Bublik.
Rather than collapsing under the weight of the moment or the reputation of his opponent, Vacherot summoned one of the most composed performances of his career. In a match defined by razor-thin margins, the Monégasque phenom gritted out two tense tiebreaks to win 7-6(4), 7-6(6), converting his fifth match point with a crushing ace.
The clash was a true test of nerves and strategy, both players held serve throughout, but it was Vacherot’s precision under pressure that proved decisive. Though Bublik had battled through a nearly three-hour doubles match earlier in the day, the intensity of both matches cannot be understated.
A New Chapter in Monégasque Tennis
For the tiny principality, this is more than just a win. Monaco had never reached this stage in the modern Davis Cup format before. According to historical records, the nation’s Davis Cup journey began in 1929, but this victory, anchored by Vacherot’s brilliance and the doubles unit’s grit, marks perhaps its most significant milestone in the competition’s long history.
At the centre of this story stands Valentin Vacherot, a 27-year-old whose rise has been as rapid as it has been remarkable. With a career-high ATP ranking of No. 27, Vacherot etched his name into Monégasque sporting lore last year as the first player from this country to win an ATP Tour singles title and to crack the Top 50, highlighted by a sensational Masters-level triumph.
What Comes Next?
With qualification now secured, Monaco will await the Group I draw, set to take place in the coming weeks. There, they will compete in September for a place in the culminating stages of the Davis Cup, a tantalizing prospect that seemed improbable just days ago.
Back in Astana, the celebrations were vivid: teammates embraced at centre court, the crowd’s applause echoing long after the final ball had flown. For a nation with a population smaller than many cities, this victory feels enormous, a testament to belief, resilience and the magic that only the Davis Cup can deliver.
