Valentin Vacherot Defeats Cousin Arthur Rinderknech Again After Shanghai Win

In an exciting showdown at the Paris Masters, Valentin Vacherot emerged victorious against his cousin Arthur Rinderknech, marking his second win over him in just three weeks. The match ended with a score of 6-7 (9-11), 6-3, 6-4, setting Vacherot up for a third-round encounter against British player Cameron Norrie.

Vacherot’s Remarkable Journey

The 26-year-old French player, ranked world number 204 before his Shanghai Masters triumph, achieved significant milestones this month. He claimed a stunning victory against Rinderknech in the Shanghai Masters final—becoming the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1,000 champion since 1990. Vacherot’s earlier path to that title included wins over prominent players such as Alexander Bublik, Holger Rune, and Novak Djokovic.

Match Insights

Reflecting on his recent matches, Vacherot remarked that he felt greater tension against Rinderknech compared to past opponents. Despite a challenging first set, he found a rhythm in the subsequent rounds. “After that first set, I felt better, the pressure dropped a little,” he explained. Vacherot was satisfied with his serving and the pressure he applied during the match.

Rinderknech’s Perspective

Arthur Rinderknech acknowledged the matchup’s intensity, noting, “It was different from Shanghai. The match was completely different.” He credited Vacherot’s performance for the win, demonstrating sportsmanship despite the loss.

Upcoming Matches and Key Players

• Vacherot will next face British number two Cameron Norrie, who recently defeated world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
• World number two Jannik Sinner advanced with a comfortable victory and may reclaim the top ranking if he wins the tournament.
• Reigning champion Alexander Zverev overcame Camilo Ugo Carabelli, while Casper Ruud’s tournament ended in an early loss.
• Daniil Medvedev received a bye to the third round following Grigor Dimitrov’s withdrawal due to injury.
• Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced after a closely contested match against Alexandre Muller.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Vacherot as he continues to defy expectations and push for further success at the Paris Masters.