Qualifier achieves a dream with family grudge-match win

Valentin Vacherot became the first Monegasque to claim an ATP title on Sunday as he ambushed his French cousin Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to win the Shanghai Masters.

The No. 204 who arrived in China without a place in the qualifying draw, concluded his dream run as he wrote a line in the record books.

Vacherot is the third qualifier to win a Masters event since Spaniards Roberto Carretero (1996 Hamburg) and Albert Portas (2001 Hamburg).

“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. 

“I’m just so happy with my performances the past two weeks. I just want to thank everyone who has helped with my career since the beginning. 

“There has to be one loser but I think there are two winners today. One family that won and I think for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal.”

The cousins played as teammates in 2018 on the Texas A&M university team in the US; Vacherot, 26, came to Shanghai with just one Tour-level career victory 

The winner came from behind for the fourth time here, recovering after dropping the opening set.

“When I am down, I have no choice and need to bring my A-game,” he said. “In the first set I didn’t do that and he was playing better than me. 

“I took my first chance to break in the second set and from that the crowd got more involved and we put on more of a show in the second part of the match.”

The former journey will rise inside the top 50 for the first time as a result of his victory in just over two hours.

“(I had) to put on the side that it is my cousin and the guy I have been training with and growing up with. 

“It was very tough and he did a better job than me in the first set, coping with the pressure. But I just found a way to turn it around.”

Main photo:- Qualifier Valentin Vacherot beat cousin Arthur Rinderknech in Shanghai – by ATPTour.com