SHANGHAI — In a thrilling showdown, Valentin Vacherot emerged victorious over his cousin Arthur Rinderknech with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday, clinching the Shanghai Masters title—his first-ever accolade after an extraordinary journey through the qualifying rounds.
Ranked 204th, the 26-year-old Vacherot became the lowest-ranked player to win in ATP Masters 1000 history, marking a historic moment for the tiny Principality of Monaco.
“I’m just overwhelmed. It doesn’t feel real,” Vacherot exclaimed moments after his remarkable win. “I believe there are two champions today, united in family. This story for tennis is just unbelievable.”
What a performance it was!
In an astounding semifinal, he stunned 24-time Grand Slam victor Novak Djokovic to secure his place in the final against Rinderknech, who had previously defeated four-time major finalist Daniil Medvedev in an electrifying semifinal.
Prior to his victory over Djokovic—one of the greatest players of all time with 100 career titles—Vacherot showcased his skills against tenth-seeded Holger Rune in the quarterfinals.
“It’s only my fourth year on tour, and thinking about all the hard work I’ve put in, winning today is simply surreal,” Vacherot shared. “I can hardly wrap my head around it.”
He delivered a serving masterclass in the decisive third set, achieving three consecutive love holds and winning 15 straight points before he finally lost a point in the eighth game due to an unforced error.
Facing a match point while serving to stay in the game at 15-40, Rinderknech saved one match point, but Vacherot dazzled with another powerful forehand winner down the line to claim his victory.
Overwhelmed with emotion, he held his face in his hands before embracing his cousin at the net. He then rushed to hug his coach, Benjamin Balleret—his half-brother and a former tennis player from Monaco.
Balleret’s own highlight was a memorable match against tennis legend Roger Federer in the early rounds of the Monte Carlo Masters back in 2006.
Nineteen years later, Federer watched from the stands as Rinderknech captured the first set with an ace.
Balleret and Federer shared a handshake, after which Vacherot proudly displayed a red-and-white Monaco flag on court, inscribing “Grandma and Grandpa would be proud” on a courtside camera.
“I tried to set aside the fact that it’s my cousin, the person I grew up with,” Vacherot admitted. “In the first set, I wasn’t at my best and Arthur played really well.”
Monaco’s most celebrated athlete is Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc, who boasts eight wins out of 48 podium finishes.
Vacherot is set to rise through the rankings and break into the Top 50 this coming Monday.
He secured an early break in the final set but missed four break-point chances in the fifth game, allowing Rinderknech a brief respite. Following that, the Frenchman called for a three-minute medical timeout to receive massage treatment on his back and left shoulder.
Yet, there was no stopping his cousin’s momentum.
Rinderknech, evidently troubled by cramps, sat down after delivering his runner-up speech, as Vacherot addressed the crowd.
This match marked their first encounter on the professional circuit, with Rinderknech having won their sole previous meeting at a Futures tournament back in 2018.
