For the second time in less than a month, tennis fans were treated to a battle of the cousins between Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech at the Rolex Paris Masters.
The previous match was for the Shanghai title, won by Vacherot.
The friendly foes seem to play some of their best tennis against each other on the court and are all about family off court.
Some thought when Vacherot double-faulted set point in a long first set tiebreaker that Rinderknech would avenge the Shanghai loss.
However, Vacherot pulled it together to win the final two sets.
This rematch was far earlier than anyone expected, but fans want more of this duo on court.
After the win, Vacherot wrote on the camera, “I love my family.”
Valentin Vacherot’s Next Opponent
Because Cam Norrie upset Carlos Alcaraz, Vacherot will next face Norrie.
Whether Norrie suffers an emotional letdown after his huge Alcaraz win remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Vacherot has been the biggest and best surprise of the post US Open ATP schedule.
His game is full of big hitting and smart shotmaking, and though he had some serve woes against Rinderknech, the former Texas A&M player hailing from Monaco, seems to be able to pull it together mid match.
Vive la cousinade 💓@val_vacherot squeaks past cousin @arthurrinder 6-7 6-3 6-4 at #RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/qVsPAdeyn0
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 29, 2025
Rinderknech, as was the case in Shanghai, is gracious in defeat to his cousin, but he is a tough competitor who will want to get on the winning end of this head-to-head the next time he and Vacherot take the court.
Watch the Rolex Paris Masters on the Tennis Channel and the Tennis Channel app now through November 2, 2025. Alexander Zverev is the defending champion and remains in the draw looking to repeat his 2024 success in Paris.
