Valentin Vacherot Shocks at the Shanghai Masters
In a performance that will be etched in the memory of tennis fans, Valentin Vacherot conquered the Shanghai Masters, achieving the first title of his career. The tennis player, coming from the qualifying rounds, defeated his cousin Arthur Rinderknech with scores of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Vacherot, currently ranked 204th, made history by becoming the winner of a Masters 1000 tournament with the lowest ranking in ATP history, and furthermore, he is the first tennis player from the small Principality of Monaco to achieve this feat.
His path to the title was filled with memorable moments. In the semifinals, Vacherot surprised the tennis world by defeating Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, which allowed him to advance to the final against Rinderknech.
In the decisive set, Vacherot demonstrated his dominance with his serve, stringing together three consecutive blank games and adding 15 points in a row. Although Rinderknech saved a match point, Vacherot sealed the victory with a powerful forehand.
After the triumph, Vacherot expressed his disbelief and joy, celebrating with his team and his coach, Benjamin Balleret, who is also his half-brother and former tennis player.
Before the match, Rinderknech won the first set with an ace. Vacherot managed an early break in the final set, but couldn’t convert four break opportunities in the fifth game. Rinderknech requested a medical timeout to receive treatment on his back and shoulder.
This was the first match between the two on the professional circuit, although Rinderknech had already beaten him in a Futures tournament in 2018.
