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
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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
Mohammad Alorabi crowned Saudi Toyota Drift Championship 2025 champion
- The event, hosted in Al-Ahsa, was organized by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation
- The final race drew an impressive crowd and unfolded in an atmosphere charged with excitement and intensity
AL-AHSA: Saudi driver Mohammad Alorabi was crowned on Friday as the champion of the Saudi Toyota Drift Championship 2025.
Alorabi secured the season title despite finishing second in the championship’s third and final round that ended Friday evening.
Hosted in Al-Ahsa, the event was organized by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), supported by the Ministry of Sport, and held in collaboration with Jameel Motorsport, the official partner, and the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.
The final race drew an impressive crowd and unfolded in an atmosphere charged with excitement and intensity, as competition escalated across all categories. During the awards ceremony, the top three winners from each of the championship’s three categories were crowned, marking a fitting conclusion to a highly competitive season.
The celebratory scenes underscored the event’s success and highlighted its growing stature within the Saudi motorsport landscape.
The Professional Class delivered a fierce finale, where Bader Alshurayhi clinched first place in the final round after a powerful and exceptional performance that set him ahead of the competition. He was followed by Mohammad Alorabi, who secured second place in the round yet maintained enough points to be crowned the overall Saudi champion for the 2025 season. Yousef Bahuwerth finished third, completing a highly competitive podium that reflected the strong level of talent in this category.
In the Semi-Professional Class, the action was equally intense. Obadah Osailan succeeded in securing the title after a closely fought battle, demonstrating consistency and skill throughout the final runs. He was followed by Abdulmohsen Alkhuriji in second place, while Omar Aldini claimed third, marking a strong conclusion to one of the season’s most competitive divisions.
The Amateur Class, known for its wide participation and spirited competition, saw Saud Abdullah Alabbasi emerge victorious after delivering an impressive performance that placed him firmly at the top of the standings. Fahad Ahmed Alhodayan finished in second place, showcasing solid control and improvement, while Mohammed Aljamid secured third place, completing a podium that highlighted the depth of rising talent in Saudi motorsport.
With these results, the Saudi Toyota Drift Championship 2025 concludes a season filled with excitement and high energy, further strengthening drift racing as one of the Kingdom’s leading motorsport disciplines.
