Qualifier Valentin Vacherot stuns Shanghai with a historic Masters 1000 breakthrough win.
Valentin Vacherot completed one of the most astonishing tennis stories of the season by capturing his maiden ATP title at the Rolex Shanghai Masters 2025, defeating his cousin and former college teammate Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a thrilling all-French final. The World No. 204 from Monaco became the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 champion since 1990, capping a two-week fairytale run that saw him topple multiple Top 10 players and etch his name in tennis history.
“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 after sealing the championship. “There has to be one loser, but I think there are two winners today. One family that won, and for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal.”
The final was a nostalgic reunion of sorts. Once teammates at Texas A&M University in 2018, the two cousins stood on opposite sides of the net under the bright lights of Shanghai’s Stadium Court. While Rinderknech, ranked No. 42, arrived after a string of solid seasons and an ATP 250 final in Adelaide, Vacherot’s rise was far more improbable. Entering as a qualifier with just one previous tour-level win, he stormed past Laslo Djere, Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, and Tallon Griekspoor before stunning Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic to reach the title match.
The 26-year-old’s relentless belief defined his campaign, coming back from a set down in six of his matches, including the final. His aggressive returns and 92% first-serve points won in the deciding set sealed his destiny after two hours and 11 minutes of battle. With the victory, Vacherot became the first player from Monaco to win a tour-level title in the Open Era, joining a short list of qualifiers (Albert Portas (2001) and Roberto Carretero (1996)) to lift a Masters 1000 trophy.
On Monday, he will soar 164 spots to No. 40 in the ATP Rankings, pocket $1.12 million in prize money, and stand as a symbol of perseverance and passion. From college courts to conquering Shanghai, Valentin Vacherot’s breakthrough is the stuff of tennis legend, a fairytale dream run come true.
Image Credit: Valentin Vacherot’s Official Instagram / @valvacherot
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