Vacherot Claims First Title, Defeating Cousin Rinderknech in Shanghai

Vacherot’s Shanghai Dream: Triumph Over Cousin Rinderknech for First Title

At 26, Valentin Vacherot becomes the inaugural Monegasque player to clinch an ATP Tour singles title.

October 12, 2025

In a captivating conclusion to the Rolex Shanghai Masters, Valentin Vacherot staged a remarkable comeback to defeat his cousin and former college teammate, Arthur Rinderknech, with scores of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. This victory not only marked Vacherot’s first tour-level title, but also established him as the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion in the Open Era.

As he took to the court in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Stadium Court, the atmosphere contrasted sharply with their memorable moments at Texas A&M University in 2018 when they played as teammates.

Seven years later, their journeys had taken them down different paths. Rinderknech arrived in Shanghai boasting a career-high ranking of No. 42, with his best finish being a runner-up at the ATP 250 in Adelaide in 2022, yet he had never advanced past the third round in a Masters 1000 event prior to this week.

Vacherot’s ascent was nothing short of extraordinary. Entering the tournament ranked No. 204, he had recorded only one tour-level win prior to this event. He made history as the lowest-ranked finalist in Masters 1000 history, completely transforming his career narrative over the span of two unforgettable weeks.

After working his way through the qualifying rounds, the 26-year-old overcame formidable opponents like Laslo Djere, Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, and Tallon Griekspoor to become the first player from Monaco to reach a Masters 1000 quarter-final. He then delivered stunning upsets against Holger Rune and four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic en route to the final.

During the thrilling final match, Vacherot demonstrated remarkable perseverance. Overcoming a set deficit for the sixth time in this tournament, he etched his name in history as the first Monegasque player to claim a tour-level title in the Open Era. He joins an elite group of just three qualifiers to have won a Masters 1000 title, alongside Roberto Carretero (Hamburg 1996) and Albert Portas (Hamburg 2001).

Vacherot’s victory also marks him as the eighth first-time champion on the ATP Tour this season, and he becomes only the fifth man in the history of ATP Masters 1000 to achieve his maiden title at this level, joining Jakub Mensik, who triumphed earlier this year in Miami.

Leaving Shanghai, Vacherot skyrockets 164 spots to No. 40 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and is poised to enter the Top 100 and Top 50 for the first time on Monday. He also walks away with a prize purse of $1,124,380, having previously accumulated just $594,077 throughout his career before this tournament.

Throughout the tournament, Rinderknech and Vacherot lent each other unwavering support, cheering from the sidelines and sharing uplifting messages in their family group chat.

Vacherot witnessed Rinderknech’s remarkable run to the finals, which featured victories over Top 20 stars like Alexander Zverev, Jiri Lehecka, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Daniil Medvedev. On this day, however, he experienced firsthand the intensity of competing against his cousin.

Rinderknech opened strong, firing 12 winners and committing only two unforced errors in a stellar first set performance, as reported by Infosys ATP Stats. He surged to an early lead, breaking Vacherot’s serve in the third game of the set.

In response, Vacherot found his footing in the second set, keeping Rinderknech pinned behind the baseline and dictating the rally. He broke Rinderknech’s serve twice after a tight 3-3 tie, establishing the momentum he needed to continue his aggressive play and secure one of the most significant victories of his career in just over two hours.

Rinderknech rises 26 places to No. 28 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and will reach a new career high on Monday. He celebrated his 100th tour-level victory in the semifinals, becoming the ninth French player to reach the finals of a Masters 1000 event.

Fun Fact:
The match between Rinderknech and Vacherot was only the third all-unseeded final in the history of the Masters 1000 series.