Valentin Vacherot closed out one of the most stunning big tournament runs in the history of professional tennis, becoming the lowest‑ranked player to win a Masters 1000 title as he roared back from a set down to defeat his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and triumph at the Shanghai Masters.
There is little precedent for so many of Vacherot’s achievements over the past two weeks. At No 204, the 26-year-old had only narrowly entered the qualifying draw, where he was the second-lowest ranked direct entrant, following a number of late injury withdrawals. He is the third qualifier to win a Masters 1000 title in the 35-year history of the format and the first Monégasque player to win any ATP title.
