Valentin Vacherot Shocks in Shanghai: Conquers the Masters and Makes History
In a performance that will be etched in the memory of tennis, Valentin Vacherot has achieved an epic victory at the Shanghai Masters, defeating his cousin Arthur Rinderknech with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. This triumph not only represents the first title of his career, but also inscribes him in the history books of the sport. Vacherot, ranked 204th in the world, starred in an amazing run from the qualifying rounds, becoming the Masters 1000 tournament champion with the lowest ranking in ATP history. In addition, he is the first tennis player from the small nation of Monaco to achieve such a feat. Vacherot’s feat was even more remarkable. In the semi-finals, he surprised 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, setting the stage for a final against 30-year-old Rinderknech, who in turn had defeated Daniil Medvedev, finalist of four major tournaments and champion of the 2021 US Open. In the decisive set, Vacherot demonstrated his skill in serving, with three consecutive blank games and a streak of 15 consecutive points 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 forehand that secured the victory. Visibly emotional, Vacherot covered his face with his hands before hugging his cousin and then running towards his team to celebrate with his coach, Benjamin Balleret, who is his half-brother and also a former tennis player. In the past, Balleret had a match against the legendary Roger Federer in the early rounds of the Monte Carlo Masters in 2006. Nineteen years later, Federer watched from the audience in Shanghai as Rinderknech won the first set with an ace. Vacherot achieved an early break in the final set, but then squandered four break opportunities in the fifth game, allowing Rinderknech to recover. The French tennis player requested a medical timeout to receive treatment on his back and shoulder.However, nothing could stop his cousin’s momentum.
Before this match, they had never faced each other on the professional circuit, with Rinderknech winning the only previous match in a futures tournament in 2018.
