SHANGHAI: Monegasque Valentin Vacherot completed a fairytale run at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, rallying from a set down to defeat his cousin, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the final and secure his first ATP 1000 title.
The 26-year-old’s victory made him the first player from Monaco to win an ATP singles title and set a record as the lowest-ranked player to triumph at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
The victorious Vacherot was overwhelmed with emotion, before sharing a heartfelt embrace with his older cousin Rinderknech, 30.
Vacherot’s remarkable run means he will break into the ATP top 100 for the first time, while Rinderknech, ranked 54th, is set to rise into the top 40 when the latest rankings are released on Monday.
“I mean, I’m just all like, crying, it’s just, it’s unreal what just happened. I have no idea what’s happening right now, I’m not in a dream, it’s just crazy. I’m just so happy of my performance these past two weeks...,” Vacherot said.
“I think there’s just two winners today, one family that won, and I think for the sport of tennis, this story is just unreal.
“I wish there could be two winners, but unfortunately there’s only one, and for myself, I’m really happy that it’s me.”
The cousins had given fans plenty to cheer about in the previous round – Vacherot stunning record 24-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and Rinderknech overcoming 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev.
With Swiss maestro Roger Federer watching from the stands, Rinderknech broke first to lead 2-1 in the opening set, capitalizing on a flurry of unforced errors from Vacherot.
The momentum continued to flow Rinderknech’s way as he covered the court with impressive athleticism, racing to a 3-1 lead before extending it to 4-2.
Vacherot mounted a spirited fightback to narrow the gap to 5-4, but Rinderknech held his nerve to stave off his cousin’s comeback attempt and seal the first set in 41 minutes.
In a tight second set, momentum swung back and forth with the duo locked at 3-3 before Vacherot crunched a backhand winner to break Rinderknech and surge ahead 5-3, keeping his cool to force a decider.
Vacherot came alive in the third set, breaking early to establish a 2-0 lead. Although Rinderknech reduced the deficit to 3-2, he required a medical timeout to treat his back. Vacherot pressed on, sealing victory with a forehand winner down the line.
“That it’s the guy that I’ve been training with in Texas A&M (University), that I’ve been growing up with on vacation and everything,” Vacherot said.
“It was really tough, he did a better job than me in the first set … And yeah, just find a way to turn that around and then make the match a little bit myself toward the end.”
![]()
Vacherot beats cousin Rinderknech to clinch Shanghai Masters title
Short Url
https://arab.news/muv8p
Vacherot beats cousin Rinderknech to clinch Shanghai Masters title
- The 26-year-old’s victory made him the first player from Monaco to win an ATP singles title
- Vacherot’s remarkable run means he will break into the ATP top 100 for the first time
UFC Fight Night: Manel Kape TKOs Brandon Royval, wants title shot
- Kape kept his messaging simple: it’s a title shot or bust next year as he targets newly crowned champion Joshua Van (16-2 MMA)
The final UFC event of the year may have ignited a new UFC flyweight contender in Manel Kape. Kape kept his newfound momentum afloat in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas, finishing former title challenger Brandon Royval with a right hook, followed by a flurry of punches at 3:18 in Round 1.
Kape kept his messaging simple: it’s a title shot or bust next year as he targets newly crowned champion Joshua Van (16-2 MMA).
“Let’s fight in Houston in February, or wherever you want,” Kape said after the fight. “Just sign the contract.”
Kape (22-7 MMA) continued his winning ways with his third straight triumph, while Royval (17-9 MMA) has lost two straight while being two days shy of his two-year anniversary to his lone UFC title fight opposite then-champion Alexandre Pantoja (30-6 MMA).
In the co-headliner, featherweight Kevin Vallejos landed a brutal second-round spinning back fist to send Giga Chikadze to the canvas that eventually resulted in a TKO stoppage at 1:29. Vallejos (17-1 MMA) ran his UFC record to 3-0, while Chikadze (15-6 MMA) has lost three in a row.
The card moved along with middleweight Cezary Oleksiejczuk winning a unanimous decision against Cesar Almeida, taking all three cards by a 30-27 score. Oleksiejczuk (17-3 MMA) has won five in a row, making good on his promotional debut. Contrary to a one-sided performance, Almeida (7-2 MMA) had a two-fight winning streak halted, marking his first loss under the UFC banner.
The card’s momentum began to pick up with a devastating knockout from featherweight Melquizael Costa via a head-kick finish against Morgan Charriere 1:14 into the opening round. Costa (25-7 MMA) extended his winning streak to five, winning four of those fights during the calendar year. Charriere (21-12-1 MMA) had never been knocked out and has lost three of his last five appearances.
The next fight also saw the judges get involved after a well-rounded three- round affair between heavyweights Kennedy Nzechukwu and Marcus Buchecha. Unfortunately for both men, after 15 minutes, a winner wasn’t declared as the judges ruled the bout a 28-28 majority draw. Nzechukwu (14-6-1 MMA) had won two of his last three fights, while Buchecha (5-2-1 MMA) is still searching for his first UFC win after having made his debut in July.
UFC Vegas 112 kicked off a six-fight main card that saw King Green win a split decision against Lance Gibson Jr., earning the victory by claiming two of the judges’ scorecards 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. The fight marked the 53rd MMA appearance for Green (33-17-1 MMA) and capped his 12th year in the UFC. Meanwhile, Gibson (9-2 MMA) was making his debut.
The UFC is off before its 2026 schedule begins with UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas with a championship doubleheader at T-Mobile Arena.
Kape kept his messaging simple: it’s a title shot or bust next year as he targets newly crowned champion Joshua Van (16-2 MMA).
“Let’s fight in Houston in February, or wherever you want,” Kape said after the fight. “Just sign the contract.”
Kape (22-7 MMA) continued his winning ways with his third straight triumph, while Royval (17-9 MMA) has lost two straight while being two days shy of his two-year anniversary to his lone UFC title fight opposite then-champion Alexandre Pantoja (30-6 MMA).
In the co-headliner, featherweight Kevin Vallejos landed a brutal second-round spinning back fist to send Giga Chikadze to the canvas that eventually resulted in a TKO stoppage at 1:29. Vallejos (17-1 MMA) ran his UFC record to 3-0, while Chikadze (15-6 MMA) has lost three in a row.
The card moved along with middleweight Cezary Oleksiejczuk winning a unanimous decision against Cesar Almeida, taking all three cards by a 30-27 score. Oleksiejczuk (17-3 MMA) has won five in a row, making good on his promotional debut. Contrary to a one-sided performance, Almeida (7-2 MMA) had a two-fight winning streak halted, marking his first loss under the UFC banner.
The card’s momentum began to pick up with a devastating knockout from featherweight Melquizael Costa via a head-kick finish against Morgan Charriere 1:14 into the opening round. Costa (25-7 MMA) extended his winning streak to five, winning four of those fights during the calendar year. Charriere (21-12-1 MMA) had never been knocked out and has lost three of his last five appearances.
The next fight also saw the judges get involved after a well-rounded three- round affair between heavyweights Kennedy Nzechukwu and Marcus Buchecha. Unfortunately for both men, after 15 minutes, a winner wasn’t declared as the judges ruled the bout a 28-28 majority draw. Nzechukwu (14-6-1 MMA) had won two of his last three fights, while Buchecha (5-2-1 MMA) is still searching for his first UFC win after having made his debut in July.
UFC Vegas 112 kicked off a six-fight main card that saw King Green win a split decision against Lance Gibson Jr., earning the victory by claiming two of the judges’ scorecards 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. The fight marked the 53rd MMA appearance for Green (33-17-1 MMA) and capped his 12th year in the UFC. Meanwhile, Gibson (9-2 MMA) was making his debut.
The UFC is off before its 2026 schedule begins with UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas with a championship doubleheader at T-Mobile Arena.
Latest updates
© 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.