Vacherot Stuns Rinderknech in Shanghai, Completing Historic Family Victory
A remarkable tale of familial competition and underdog triumph unfolded at the ATP 1000 Masters in Shanghai, as Valentin Vacherot defeated his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, to claim his first ATP title. The victory marks a historic moment for both players and the world of tennis.
After two hours and 14 minutes of intense play, Vacherot emerged victorious with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. “Today there are two winners, a whole family won. And for tennis this story is unreal,” Vacherot stated, visibly stunned by his success. The Monegasque player is the first from his country to ever win an ATP tournament.
The 26-year-old Vacherot entered the tournament ranked 204th in the world, forcing him to battle through qualifying rounds. His win propels him to an anticipated ranking of 40th, securing his place in the main competition of the Australian Open. The financial reward is equally significant; Vacherot will receive approximately 970,000 euros for the victory, nearly double his career earnings to date.
The final was a hard-fought contest. Rinderknech initially took control, winning the first set after securing an early break. However, Vacherot quickly found his rhythm, overcoming early nerves and dictating play. A crucial break at 5-3 in the second set shifted the momentum, carrying him into the decisive third set where he immediately gained another break and never relinquished his lead. He ultimately clinched the match on his second match point.
The emotional impact of the match was palpable. Both cousins, who have shared countless childhood memories and holidays together, were overcome with emotion during the award ceremony, bursting into tears. “Our family’s WhatsApp group is on fire right now. That’s because everyone is witnessing our little dream,” Rinderknech shared, exhausted and visibly cramping, forcing him to remain seated for much of the ceremony.
Rinderknech’s performance wasn’t without its own achievements. Despite the loss, he climbed into the top 20 of the world rankings for the first time. The tournament also drew the attention of tennis legend Roger Federer, a two-time winner in Shanghai, who watched the final live.
Vacherot’s rapid ascent highlights his potential. His recent performance at the Challenger in Cassis, where he reached the quarterfinals before falling to Yurij Rodionov, foreshadowed his current success. He had previously faced setbacks, missing qualification for the 250 tournament in Brussels after a loss to Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-7, 4-6.
Elsewhere in the tennis world, Filip Misolic secured a spot in the tournament in Stockholm, defeating Viktor Durasovic in qualifying 6-3, 3-6, 7-6. Sebastian Ofner, utilizing his Protected Ranking, is set to compete against Leo Borg, son of the iconic Björn Borg.
Related reading
