Family Affair Shakes Shanghai Masters: Cousins Vacherot and Rinderknech Set to Clash in Historic Final

In a stunning turn of events at the Shanghai Masters, two cousins will face off in the tournament final after Valentin Vacherot, ranked 204th in the world, pulled off a shocking upset over a hobbled Novak Djokovic. Meanwhile, his cousin Arthur Rinderknech battled back to defeat Daniil Medvedev, setting the stage for an unprecedented family showdown on the ATP circuit.

Vacherot’s Historic Triumph Over Djokovic

Vacherot’s victory over Djokovic, 6-3, 6-4, marks the lowest-ranked finalist in ATP Masters 1000 history, according to the ATP. The 26-year-old qualifier, representing Monaco, began the week as an alternate in qualifying but has surged through the draw with a combination of fearless shot-making and calm under pressure.

“Is this real? I don’t know,” Vacherot said moments after defeating Djokovic. “To have Novak on the other side of the court was, first of all, an unbelievable experience for me.”

The four-time Shanghai Masters champion Djokovic, slowed by a sore hip, took a medical timeout after falling behind 4-3 in the opening set, and struggled to regain form. He won only one point in the next two games, but he refused to downplay Vacherot’s performance.

“It’s all about him,” Djokovic said. “I wish him all the best in the final, and the better player won today. Going from qualifications, it’s an amazing story. His attitude is very good, and his game was amazing.”

Rinderknech Fights Past Medvedev

Hours later, 54th-ranked Rinderknech produced a dramatic 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 comeback victory over Medvedev, a former world No. 1. The win secured the historic family final and gave the cousins a moment to share a rare embrace on the court.

“In the best dreams, we couldn’t have dreamt about this,” Rinderknech said. “Now we are here, we fought through so many matches, and somehow we are the guys standing at the end, so it’s just incredible.”

A Rare Family Showdown

Sunday’s final will mark the first time Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech have faced each other on the ATP tour, adding an extraordinary layer of drama to a tournament already filled with surprises. Both players attended Texas A&M University, where they began developing their games, but they never imagined they would meet in a Masters 1000 final.

Vacherot’s path to the final has been remarkable: he defeated Holger Rune in the quarterfinals before facing Djokovic. His rise from qualifier to finalist represents a meteoric career moment, underscoring the unpredictable nature of professional tennis.

“To have Novak on the other side of the court was an unbelievable experience,” Vacherot said. “It’s hard to describe—this is the biggest win of my career.”

Djokovic Reflects on the Upset

Despite the loss, Djokovic, now 38, remained gracious and reflective.

“I told him at the net that he’s had an amazing tournament, but more so his attitude is very good, and his game was amazing as well,” he said.

Djokovic’s hip injury, which plagued him throughout the match, was evident, yet he refused to blame his physical struggles. Instead, he credited Vacherot’s performance and professionalism.

Looking Ahead to the Family Final

The ATP tour now awaits a rare spectacle: a Masters 1000 final featuring two relatives. Analysts and fans alike are excited to see how family dynamics will play into high-stakes competition. Will Vacherot continue his Cinderella story, or will the experienced Rinderknech seize the title?

“It’s just incredible that we are in this position,” Rinderknech said. “We’ve fought so hard through this tournament, and now we get to face each other. It’s going to be a very special final.”

The final promises not only an intense battle for the Shanghai Masters crown but also a once-in-a-lifetime moment for tennis fans worldwide.