From 204 To ATP Glory! Valentin Vacherot Creates History; Sinks Cousin Rinderknech In Shanghai To Become…

Last Updated:October 12, 2025, 17:13 IST

Valentin Vacherot, ranked 204, made history at the Shanghai Masters by defeating Arthur Rinderknech to become the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 champion ever.

Valentin Vacherot downed his own cousin to claim his first-ever ATP title, capping off his fairytale run in Shanghai (AFP)

World number 204 Valentin Vacherot completed an incredible fairytale run at the Shanghai Masters, defeating his cousin Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to claim his first Masters 1000 title.

The Monégasque qualifier is now the lowest-ranked player ever to win a Masters 1000, cementing his place in tennis history. The all-family final had been described as a “fairytale” by his coach and half-brother, Benjamin Balleret.

The All-Family Final

The final marked only the third ATP Masters 1000 final in history featuring two unseeded players, highlighting the sheer unpredictability of the tournament.

Rinderknech, ranked 54th, started strongly, breaking Vacherot’s serve early thanks to unforced errors, and claimed the first set in a well-fought opening.

Vacherot, though, fought back with fire, to break even and claim the second set in dominant fashion.

The Decisive Set

The third set saw Vacherot seize momentum immediately, converting an early break point. Rinderknech, battling fatigue and receiving treatment on his back, struggled to hold serve under the Monégasque’s relentless pressure.

Multiple break points in the third and fifth games showcased Vacherot’s dominance, and a ninth-game break sealed the match. Doubled over in disbelief, the 26-year-old champion had just etched his name in tennis history.

A Fairytale Journey

Vacherot’s triumph is more than just a ranking upset; it’s a testament to resilience, belief, and the magic of tennis.

He had earlier stunned the tennis world by defeating Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals. Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, looked uncharacteristically hampered by a leg injury, but Vacherot’s composure, tactical awareness, and fearless shot-making made the upset historic.

Now, after outlasting his cousin in a physically grueling final, he has delivered one of the sport’s most unlikely and memorable stories.

(with agency inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More

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