Overview
- Valentin Vacherot, ranked No. 204 entering the event, defeated cousin Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to claim the Shanghai Masters, becoming the lowest‑ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion and Monaco’s first ATP singles titleholder.
- His path included nine wins from qualifying with multiple comebacks and a semifinal victory over Novak Djokovic after earlier top‑10 scalp Holger Rune.
- Tournament organizers in Basel granted Vacherot a main‑draw wild card for next week, and Paris Masters director Cédric Pioline confirmed Vacherot has formally requested an invitation for Bercy.
- The title lifts Vacherot to around No. 40 and pays $1,124,380, nearly doubling his previous career earnings of about $594,000.
- Analysts note most of his new ranking points come from this single result, highlighting both fresh opportunities and the risk of a rankings slide if he cannot back it up over the next year; Roger Federer’s courtside presence underscored the moment’s resonance.