Some tennis fans know that World No. 54 French tennis player Arthur Rinderknech, 30, has been a fixture on the ATP Tour since 2018. On Friday October 10, he will play Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot in the Rolex Shanghai Masters semifinals.
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Cousins @val_vacherot and @arthurrinder are both still alive in the Shanghai draw.
Rinderknech supported Vacherot today in his quarterfinal match against Holger Rune. He faces Felix Auger Aliassime tomorrow 👏 #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/kbN0EhM85y
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 9, 2025
As if that is not enough excitement for his family, his cousin Valentin Vacherot of Monaco is also still alive in this tournament. Vacherot, 26, played college tennis at Texas A&M University and his career high ranking was World No. 110 in June 2024.
Vacherot’s career ATP record was 11-9 before this tournament, but he has put together a run reminiscent of Alex Eala in Miami, Lois Boisson in Paris, and Terence Atmane in Cincinnati. He has taken out four well-known and Top 30 players in his improbable run including Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, Tallon Griekspoor, and perhaps the most surprising Holger Rune in the quarterfinals. Vacherot has a semifinal date with destiny as he plays the GOAT Novak Djokovic.
Arthur Rinderknech in Valentin Vacherot’s box pic.twitter.com/Jet6D0kl7R
— Mario Boccardi (@boccardi_marioo) October 9, 2025
One of the great things about the Rolex Shanghai Masters is that players frequently watch other matches, and Vacherot’s cousin Rinderknech has taken advantage of that opportunity. He has taken out his share of seeded players including Alex Michelsen, Jiri Lehecka, and Alexander Zverev.
Could we get a cousin duel in the final? There is much tennis to be played, and though Vacherot is a step closer to the final, taking down Djokovic would be a monstrous feat.
Should he defeat FAA, Rinderknech faces the winner of the Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur quarterfinal match in the semifinals.
It has been a crazy fortnight in Shanghai this year with the heat, retirements, and withdrawals. No one could have foreseen the possibility of a Rinderknech and Vacherot final.
