Cousins Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech will meet in the Shanghai Masters final after pulling off stunning upsets of former champions Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals on Saturday. This remarkable achievement is turning heads not only for the tennis world but also for family ties in sports.
Qualifier Vacherot, ranked world No 204, shocked the tennis community by defeating a limping Djokovic, who was seeded fourth in the tournament, with a final score of 6-3, 6-4. Despite suffering from a hip injury that forced him to take medical timeouts during both sets, Djokovic showed resilience but ultimately couldn’t overcome Vacherot’s impressive play. This victory marks Vacherot as the lowest-ranked player to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final since the series was introduced in 1990. His achievement has been celebrated as a significant milestone, especially considering the competitive landscape of professional tennis.
In a parallel story, Arthur Rinderknech later faced off against former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev. In another surprising turn of events, Rinderknech emerged victorious with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. The win solidified a family final, an occurrence rare in the professional sports world, and added a personal touch to their accomplishments on the court.
“I can’t even say it’s a dream because I don’t think even one person in our family dreamt about it,” Rinderknech remarked about the unique experience of facing his cousin in what promises to be an intriguing final. The emotional significance and novelty of the situation were palpable, making this family matchup one to watch.
After his match, Vacherot reflected on his victory over Djokovic, stating, “This is just crazy… just to be on the other side of the court (with Djokovic) was an unbelievable experience.” He shared that he was somewhat overwhelmed when Djokovic’s extensive list of titles was announced, which added to the surreal nature of the moment. “I got a bit lost in all his titles when they were announcing him, but it was an unreal experience. Now I’m probably just going to enjoy the win tonight and think about the final tomorrow.”
During the match, Djokovic initially broke Vacherot in the first game. However, the 26-year-old quickly rebounded, breaking back and building a 4-3 lead, at which point Djokovic took his first medical timeout. Vacherot maintained his composure, winning the next two games effortlessly, thus securing the first set in a stunning turn of events. The second set included a grueling 12-minute battle for the first game, which Djokovic managed to win after saving two break points. However, a double fault from Djokovic allowed Vacherot to take a crucial 5-4 lead, ultimately tipping the match in his favor.
After the match concluded, Djokovic extended his congratulations to Vacherot, saying, “I want to congratulate Valentin for reaching his first Masters final. Going from qualifications, it’s an amazing story.” He acknowledged Vacherot’s hard work and determination throughout the tournament, adding, “So it’s all about him. I wish him all the best in the finals and the better player won today.” This sportsmanship showcases the respect among competitors, even when one takes a significant loss.
As the stage is set for an exciting final between the two cousins, fans will undoubtedly tune in to witness this unprecedented event. The narrative of family and rivalry, along with the remarkable performances that led them there, adds an extra layer of drama to what’s to come in the Shanghai Masters final.
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