In a jaw-dropping Saturday showdown at the Shanghai Masters, qualifier Valentin Vacherot pulled off the upset of the tournament, toppling a struggling Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4. The 26-year-old from Monaco, ranked No. 204, now faces an even more unexpected hurdle: his own cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, in what might be the coolest family final ever! 😲🎾
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, fought through physical woes—vomiting at the side of the court and needing multiple medical breaks—but couldn’t slow down Vacherot’s determined game. “I’m really proud of how I managed this match mentally,” Vacherot said, still pinching himself. “It felt unreal playing Novak on the other side of the net.” 💪
On the other side of the net, Arthur Rinderknech overcame Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling three-set battle (4-6, 6-2, 6-4) to book his spot in the final. Now, these two cousins will trade forehands and backhands for the title, making history as the lowest-ranked player ever to compete in an ATP Masters 1000 final.
“It’s all about him,” Djokovic acknowledged after the match, praising Vacherot’s “amazing story.” As we gear up for this one-of-a-kind final, tennis fans everywhere will be glued to their screens, cheering on family ties and unforgettable moments in sport. Who will lift the trophy—and win bragging rights at the next family reunion? 🌟
Reference(s):
Vacherot ousts ailing Djokovic, sets up Shanghai final against cousin
cgtn.com
