Tennis: An incredible scenario for two cousins

Summary of the historic final of the 2 cousins

Valentin Vacherot, ranked 204th in the world, creates a sensation and wins the Shanghai Masters 1000

Tennis – Historic feat in Shanghai. Monaco's Valentin Vacherot, ranked 204th in the ATP and a qualifier, won the Shanghai Masters 1000 this Sunday, defeating his French cousin Arthur Rinderknech (54th) in the final. This unprecedented victory propels him to 40th in the world, marking one of the greatest recent feats in modern tennis.

An unprecedented feat for Monaco and for world tennis

At 26, Valentin Vacherot has become the lowest-ranked player in history to lift a Masters 1000 trophy, second only to the Grand Slam tournaments in importance. Previously, the record belonged to Croatian Borna Coric, who won the title in Cincinnati in 2022 while ranked 152nd in the world.

By winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, Vacherot delivered a magnificent performance in front of a prestigious guest: Roger Federer, present in the stands of the Qi Zhong Stadium. With this victory, he also became the first Monegasque player to win an ATP tournament, inscribing his name in the history of tennis in the Principality.

An exceptional journey: from Djokovic to glory

Having come through qualifying, Vacherot reeled off nine consecutive victories in Shanghai, including a resounding victory against Novak Djokovic (world No. 5) in the semifinals. This dream run allowed him to open his ATP Tour record in the most spectacular way possible, a feat only four players before him had achieved since the Masters 1000 was created in 1990.

Arthur Rinderknech, deserving finalist

Opposite him, 30-year-old Arthur Rinderknech also had an exceptional fortnight. A Masters 1000 finalist for the first time in his career, he reached world number 28, becoming the second Frenchman behind Ugo Humbert.

The Frenchman, however, failed to join the prestigious list of French Masters 1000 winners, which has remained unchanged since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's victory in Canada in 2014, following those of Guy Forget, Cédric Pioline and Sébastien Grosjean.

A victory that marks a turning point

History will remember October 12, 2025, as the day when a player who came from qualifying, with no track record or status, overthrew the giants of tennis to give Monaco its first major title on the ATP Tour.

With his determination, calm and power at the baseline, Valentin Vacherot is now establishing himself as one of the major revelations of the 2025 season.

🏆 Match report

Shanghai Masters 1000 – Final

Valentin Vacherot (MON, 204th) beat Arthur Rinderknech (FRA, 54th): 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Following this surprise victory, the Monegasque player received an invitation to the Swiss Indoors Basel which began on Monday, October 20.