Valentin Vacherot’s extraordinary run in Shanghai finished in style with a comeback win over his cousin Arthur Rinderknech. The 26-year-old from Monaco arrived in China with just one ATP Tour win in his entire career, but went on to beat the likes of Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic before downing the Frenchman. “I am not even dreaming, it is just crazy,” said a stunned Vacherot.
Valentin Vacherot completed a fairytale run at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday with a comeback win over his cousin Arthur Rinderknech – but where did the qualifier’s stunning success come from?
The 26-year-old’s jaw-dropping triumph made him the lowest-ranked player at No. 204 and the first Monegasque to win a Masters 1000 event.
It was no fluke run either, as Vacherot knocked out five seeded players to reach the final, beating Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, Tallon Griekspoor and Holger Rune before the mother of all upsets when he downed 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
The triumph was sealed in suitably spectacular style, as the qualifier – who will now climb all the way up to No. 40 – came from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-3 and claim his maiden title after coming into the tournament with just one career ATP Tour win under his belt.
The astonishing achievement, sealed by an incredible battle between two cousins and former college team-mates, left both players in tears as they received their trophies on court.
“It is unreal what just happened. I have no idea what is happening right now. I am not even dreaming, it is just crazy,” Vacherot said.