Qualifier Valentin Vacherot rallied from behind to defeat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech and complete his fairytale Shanghai Masters run, winning the biggest title of his career in a unique and historic final.
Vacherot started the week as an alternate and ranked 204th in the world but the 26-year-old Monegasque produced a stunning run, knocking out a string of big names including Holger Rune in the quarter-finals and Novak Djokovic in the semis, to become the lowest-ranked Masters finalist in history.
The twist came as Vacherot faced family in the final, with Rinderknech’s win against Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals setting up one of the stories of the season as the two cousins, who were also college team-mates, competed against each other for the biggest prize of their careers.
With Roger Federer watching on, Rinderknech, the 30-year-old Frenchman, was the first to settle and broke Vacherot in the third game of the first set. The second set was dominated by serve until Vacherot raised his level to break Rinderknech for the first time, and then carried his momentum into the decider.
After Vacherot took the opening break, Rinderknech struggled physically while his younger cousin raced over the line.
Follow all the action from the final of the Shanghai Masters below:
Vacherot and Rinderknech prepare for unique trophy ceremony
Vacherot and Rinderknech are sitting next to each as they watch a montage of highlights from Shanghai and the trophy ceremony is prepared. You do not see the scenes week to week. It’s special.
Jamie Braidwood12 October 2025 12:19
Valentin Vacherot: ‘It’s just unreal what’s happened’
“Crying, it’s just… It’s unreal what just happened. I have, I have no idea what’s happening right now. I’m not in a dream, it’s just crazy. I’m just so happy of my performance these past two weeks.
“There has to be one loser, but I think there’s just two winners today, one family that won, and, and I think for the sport of tennis, this story is just unreal, and I wish there could be two winners, but unfortunately there’s only one. For myself, I’m very happy that it’s, it’s me.
“I was just trying to beat the other guy the guy on the other side of the net. I tried to put it on the side that it’s my cousin, that is the guy that I’ve been training with in Texas A&M that I’ve been growing up with, going on vacation with and everything. It was really tough.
“He did a better job than me in the first set, with coping with the pressure and everything. He played way better than me. I just tried to find a way to turn that around and and then make the match a little bit myself towards the end, yeah.
“We put on, way more of a show than we put, I think, the first half of the match. I’m happy for that for the crowd. It’s just surreal to be with Arthur on this court.”
Jamie Braidwood12 October 2025 12:07
Vacherot’s emotional message on the camera
Vacherot writes: “Grandpa and Grandma would be proud” on the camera lens.
An amazing way to sum up this unique final, with Vacherot and his cousin Rinderknech coming from the same family!
The embrace at the net between Vacherot and Rinderknech was special too.
Jamie Braidwood12 October 2025 12:05
Vacherot completes fairytale in Shanghai
Just incredible. There are tears as Vacherot embraces his coach, his half-brother Benjamin Balleret, and his wife, who spent the deciding set with every one of her fingers crossed in pure anguish.
The 26-year-old started the week as an alternate to qualifying. He did not even have a place in the draw and only got in when others pulled out.
He has won nine matches in a row, beating top players in Novak Djokovic, Holger Rune and his own cousin Arthur Rinderknech. His winners cheque of over $1m is more than double his career earnings.
At World No 204, he is the lowest-ranked Masters champion of all time. He will jump 164 places to 40th in the world. And he is the first Monegasque player to win an ATP title.
Jamie Braidwood12 October 2025 12:03
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Vacherot 4-6 6-3 6-3 Rinderknech
HE HAS DONE IT! THE LOWEST-RANKED MASTERS CHAMPION OF ALL TIME!
VACHEROT FINDS THE FOREHAND WINNER DOWN THE LINE AND COVERS HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS IN DISBELIEF!
And how about these scenes! There is a warm embrace at the net as the cousins fall into each other’s arms.
What a story in Shanghai. Amazing.
Jamie Braidwood12 October 2025 11:58
Vacherot 4-6 6-3 5-3 Rinderknech*
Vacherot flies into the forehand winner and crushes it past Rinderknech! 0-30, he is only two points away.
Rinderknech snaps a winner off his feet into the open court. Vacherot can afford a chuckle.
But Rinderknech floats a forehand long! Two Championship points for Vacherot, the World 204…
Jamie Braidwood12 October 2025 11:56
Vacherot 4-6 6-3 5-3 Rinderknech*
There is no let-up from Vacherot. Unplayable on serve, with Rinderknech unable to respond as he moves 40-0 up.
A backhand down the line goes wide and is the first point he has dropped on serve this set. It’s followed by a forehand that catches the tape.
But Vacherot steadies to put away the forehand winner, and he takes the game. Another one, and he will become a Masters champion.
Jamie Braidwood12 October 2025 11:54
*Vacherot 4-6 6-3 4-3 Rinderknech
Rinderknech gets through a service game without facing break points. That was straight-forward, and just what he needed.
Jamie Braidwood12 October 2025 11:49
