The dream run had a fairytale ending as Valentin Vacherot completed his run at Shanghai Masters on Sunday. The 26-year-old Monacoan returned to win a set behind to conquer his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech of France, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, to win his first ATP title.
It was a historic win – Vacherot was the first Monacoan to win an ATP singles trophy and became the lowest-ranked player to win an ATP Masters 1000 tournament in history. The match was emotional with the cousins having an emotional embrace at the net.
Vacherot had previously won slightly less than half a million dollars in career prize money before Shanghai. The win on Sunday saw Sunday add more than one point one two million to his earnings. The victory also makes him move to the top 40 and he goes to world number 40, and Rinderknech will move to a career-high position within the top 40, too.
It is unreal, I am just crying, said Vacherot after the match. “I can’t believe this happened. In my case, in my family, it is incredible. I would like to say there should be two winners in the end, however, I am so glad it is me.
It was not the first time that the cousins thrilled fans in the tournament. Vacherot defeated 24 time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and Rinderknech eliminated 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev.
The latter began in favor of Ringerknech. The Frenchman broke first and raced to a 4-2 lead with Roger Federer watching the game on the stands. Vacherot did not give up but Rinderknech was leading the first set 6-4.
The momentum in the second set was oscillating. At 3-3, Vacherot made a perfect backhand winner to defy Rinderknech, and progress to a decisive set at 5-3.
The third set was an early battle with Vacherot on the offensive and breaking to a 2-0 lead. Ringerknech was able to pull back to 3-2 before he was forced to medical time his back. Vacherot did not lose his concentration and closed the game with a beautiful down-the-line forehand victory.
It is even worse that it is the guy I grew up with, trained with and spent vacations with as Vacherot said. In the first set, he had outplayed me but I managed to reverse it and become the master of the game.
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