Valentin Vacherot Shocks in Shanghai and Wins His First Title
In an unexpected turn of events that shook the tennis world, Valentin Vacherot achieved a historic victory at the Shanghai Masters, securing the first title of his career after an impressive run from the qualifying rounds.
Vacherot, currently ranked 204th, defeated his cousin Arthur Rinderknech with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. This triumph not only marks a personal milestone for Vacherot, but also makes him the Masters 1000 tournament champion with the lowest ranking in ATP history, and the first to represent the small Principality of Monaco.
Vacherot’s performance was truly remarkable.
In the semifinals, Vacherot surprised the world by defeating Novak Djokovic, a tennis player with 24 Grand Slam titles. This led him to the final against Rinderknech, who, in turn, had defeated Daniil Medvedev, US Open champion in 2021, in a notable semifinal.
Vacherot demonstrated his skill in serving during the third set, achieving three consecutive games without conceding points and accumulating 15 points in a row before committing an unforced error in the eighth game.
Rinderknech, fighting to stay in the match, saved a match point, but Vacherot responded with a powerful winning forehand, securing the victory.
After the victory, Vacherot expressed his disbelief, embracing his cousin and sharing an emotional hug with his coach, Benjamin Balleret, who is also his half-brother and a former tennis player from Monaco.
In the past, Balleret had a match against Roger Federer at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2006.
In the audience, Federer watched Rinderknech win the first set with an ace.
Vacherot managed an early break in the decisive set and wasted four break opportunities in the fifth game. Rinderknech received medical treatment for back and shoulder discomfort.
So far, Rinderknech had won the only previous professional encounter between the two, in a futures tournament in 2018.
