World number 204 Valentin Vacherot shocked everyone, including his cousin Arthur Rinderknech, as he clinched his first ATP title at the Shanghai Masters. The 26-year-old from Monaco staged a remarkable comeback after dropping the first set to defeat the world number 54 in a thrilling 4-6 6-3 6-3 victory. This historic win marked Vacherot as the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion since the series inception back in 1990.
The intense final match saw Vacherot sealing his success with a powerful forehand down the line, followed by an emotional embrace with Rinderknech at the net. The newly crowned champion then sprinted off the court to celebrate with his coach and family in one of the boxes. In a touching moment, Vacherot left a heartfelt message on a courtside camera, writing “Grandpa and Grandma would be proud.” Both players, overwhelmed with emotions, struggled to hold back tears during their post-match speeches on court.
Stats behind lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion:
• Vacherot’s unexpected rise to victory included a historical first men’s singles final between family members since John McEnroe defeated his brother Patrick at the Chicago Open in 1991.
• Despite not being on the original qualifying list, Vacherot entered the tournament after two players withdrew, setting the stage for his remarkable journey.
• The 26-year-old fought back from a set down to emerge victorious in six of his nine matches, showcasing his resilience and determination.
• With just one main ATP Tour win under his belt prior to the Shanghai Masters, Vacherot’s career earnings of £380,000 were doubled by the prize money of £824,000.
• Making Monaco proud, Vacherot became the first player from the country to claim a tour-level title in the Open Era, which commenced in 1968.
• His path to the final included impressive wins over world number 11 Holger Rune and the legendary Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion.
• The triumph secured Vacherot a spot in the ATP top 100 for the first time, while Rinderknech, with a career-high ranking of 42, will ascend into the top 40 rankings.
Rinderknech, who started strong in the final match, converted his first break point in the third game as Vacherot displayed signs of nerves. However, Vacherot quickly regained his composure, leading to a closely contested set that Rinderknech claimed at 6-4. The second set proved equally intense, with a brilliant backhand down the line propelling Vacherot to a crucial break and ultimately a 6-3 victory, forcing a decider. Despite a short break between sets for a shirt change due to the hot and humid conditions, Vacherot maintained his momentum, securing an early break in the final set with a stunning cross-court backhand.
As the match progressed, Rinderknech valiantly saved multiple break points to stay in contention, even requiring a medical timeout for back treatment. Despite his efforts, Vacherot’s determination proved too much as he closed out the match with a famous win. The cousins, who had faced each other during their junior and college years, shared a special moment of sportsmanship and mutual respect in a match that will be remembered for years to come.
