SHANGHAI — In a compelling showdown, Valentin Vacherot triumphed over his compatriot Arthur Rinderknech with scores of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday, securing the Shanghai Masters title and marking the inaugural victory of his career following an unexpected journey from the qualifying stages.
Vacherot, holding the 204th rank and a relatively unknown figure at 26 years old, emerged as the lowest-ranked champion in the history of ATP Masters 1000 tournaments — and also the first victor hailing from the small nation of Monaco.
Indeed, it was an impressive display.
Notably, he surprised the 24-time Grand Slam victor Novak Djokovic in their semifinal clash, leading to a final encounter against the 30-year-old Rinderknech, who had previously defeated four-time major finalist Daniil Medvedev, the US Open champion of 2021, in his own remarkable semifinal.
Vacherot displayed exceptional serving skills in the decisive third set, achieving three consecutive love holds and amassing 15 successive points before conceding a point in the eighth game due to an unforced error.
Serving to remain in contention at 15-40 down, Rinderknech managed to save a match point, but Vacherot countered with another powerful forehand winner down the line, securing his victory.
Visibly in disbelief, he covered his face with his hands before approaching the net to embrace his compatriot, followed by a heartfelt hug with his coach, Benjamin Balleret, who also serves as his half-brother and a former tennis player from Monaco.
Balleret’s career highlight was marked by a loss to the esteemed tennis legend Roger Federer in the initial rounds of the Monte Carlo Masters back in 2006.
Years later, Federer was in the Shanghai audience as Rinderknech captured the initial set with an ace.
Vacherot claimed an early advantage in the final set, then missed four opportunities to break in the fifth game when Rinderknech gained a narrow escape. Subsequently, the Frenchman called for a three-minute medical timeout to receive massage therapy on his back and left shoulder.
Yet, there was no altering his compatriot’s dominance.
Prior to this, their paths had never crossed on the professional circuit, with Rinderknech prevailing in their sole encounter at a futures tournament in 2018.
