Vacherot beats cousin Rinderknech to win Shanghai Masters title

SHANGHAI, Oct 12 (AP): Valentin Vacherot beat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Shanghai Masters for the first title of his career after a stunning run from the qualifying rounds.
The 204th-ranked Vacherot, an unheralded 26-year-old, was the lowest-ranked tournament winner in ATP Masters 1000 history - and the first from the tiny Principality of Monaco.
"Just crying, it's just isn't real what just happened. I've no idea what's happening right now," Vacherot said moments after victory. "I think there are two winners today and just one family that won. I think for the sport of tennis this story's just unreal."
It was quite a performance, too.
He stunned 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals to set up a final against the 30-year-old Rinderknech, who had downed four-time major finalist Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, in a remarkable semifinal of his own.
Before toppling Djokovic - owner of 100 career titles and among the greatest men's players ever - Vacherot also beat tenth-seeded Holger Rune in the quarterfinals.
"It's only my fourth season on the tour. I think of all the work I've done," Vacherot said.