Valentin Vacherot achieved the sensation and won the Masters 1000 in Shanghai as a qualifier. He prevailed against his cousin Arthur Rinderknecht in a thrilling final.
This family story could actually only end well. Even if it was played on one of the biggest world stages in tennis. In the thrilling duel between the cousins between Arthur Rinderknech (30) and Valentin Vacherot (26), the shooting star Vacherot won 4:6 in the final of the Masters 1000 in Shanghai; 6:4 and 6:3.
In his first ever ATP final, Vacherot secured the Masters 1000 title. The biggest day of his tennis life.
Straight into the main field
For Vacherot, the trip to China was more than worth it. The Monegasque slides from world ranking position 204 into the twenties, which means that he is automatically in the main draw at the Australian Open will stand. In addition, with 985,490 euros in prize money, he will receive almost twice as much bonus as he has earned so far in his entire career (around 500,000 euros).
But Rinderknech can also look forward to his participation in Shanghai despite the bitter bankruptcy. Even if he will probably need a long time to come to terms with this defeat.
Highly concentrated start
But the trip to China was also extremely worthwhile for Vacherot. The Monegasque slides from world ranking position 204 to 58, which means he will automatically be in the main draw at the Australian Open. In addition, with $597,000 in prize money, he will receive more bonuses than he has been able to earn in his entire career (around $500,000).
The two opponents, who train together, go on vacation and once played together at college in Texas – on a team and also in doubles – began their first service games with great concentration.
Short period of nervousness
Vacherot’s first and only nervousness in the first set was evident in his second Service gamewhen he suddenly appeared tense and physically solid and made mistakes. The pressure of this unfamiliar situation clearly weighed on his shoulders in this short phase, and he had to pay dearly for it.
Rinderkech acted extremely determined and self-confident from the start and managed the first break to take a 2-1 lead. Both offensively inclined players then asserted themselves in their respective service games, so that the Frenchman was able to use the advantage he had gained early by the end of the first set and win the first round 6:4.
Momentum switches to Vacherot
In the second set, both stuck to their offensive style of play, and inhibiting nerves played almost no role anymore. Many net attacks with direct volley points prevented longer rallies; the service games on both sides were initially clear affairs.
Rinderknech acted a bit more stable and decisive. But Vaceherot suddenly got his first two break points at 4:3, the second of which he spectacularly used with a backhand down the line to make it 5:3. The momentum was suddenly on his side and the Monegasque won the second set 6:4.
Lots of unused break balls
And Vacherot took advantage of this positive phase right at the start of the third set when he immediately managed the next break to make it 1-0. Then the shooting star turned up the heat and succeeded in almost everything. Vacherot suddenly surfed a wave of self-confidence that brought him a few more, albeit unused, break points.
Vacherot could have turned the game even more in his direction early on, but Rinderknech fought back as best he could.
But above all, the Monegasse finished his service games more than convincingly. He saved his narrow lead to 5:3 before he managed another break.
Vacherot converted his second match point to make it 6:3 in the third set – and he achieved a historic victory.