The Rolex Shanghai Masters had two winners today. Cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot played each other in the Masters 1000 final.
It was fitting that the match went three sets as both players showed greatness at different times during the match.
However, Valentin Vacherot came from behind yet again, something he did in six of the nine matches he played in Shanghai.
MONACO’S FIRST MASTERS CHAMPION 🏆
Vacherot becomes lowest-ranked Masters champion, defeating cousin Rinderknech 4-6 6-3 6-3 to lift his first ever ATP title in Shanghai!@val_vacherot #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/vIc2umV341
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 12, 2025
His serving was on point from the middle of the second set through the end.
Rinderknech went down a break in the third set and fought to keep his serve the rest of the way, but Vacherot was challenging him.
Arthur Rinderknech:
‘Not a single person on Earth could have predicted that… Tomorrow we will try and have fun like when we were 12 years old, and there will be two winners, no losers’ pic.twitter.com/57svmLje8V
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) October 11, 2025
The Aggies Cousins Exchanged Smiles And Hugs
Both Rinderknech and Vacherot played college tennis at Texas A&M, providing yet another example of how college tennis helps players develop instead of immediately turning pro.
Rinderknech smiled and hugged his cousin, and the pair’s coaches exchanged a hug and smiles also.
There is not a similar story in professional tennis or professional sports in general. Vacherot was not in the Top 200 when he came to Shanghai as an alternate for qualifying. He played nine matches in Shanghai and almost did not make it out of the first qualifying round. Vacherot will make his debut in the Top 50 when the updated rankings came out on Monday.
Vacherot tried to put his emotions into words after the match calling it “unreal.” He joins Jakub Mensik (Miami Open) in winning his maiden ATP title at a Masters 1000 level in 2025.
