Shanghai: In a stunning turn of events, world number 204 Valentin Vacherot on Sunday defeated his cousin Arthur Rinderknech to claim the Shanghai Masters title. The qualifier triumphed 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a match described as a “fairytale” by his coach and half-brother, Benjamin Balleret.

An unlikely all-family final

The final marked one of the tournament’s most unexpected outcomes, with Vacherot, from Monaco, and 54th-ranked Frenchman Rinderknech making history as just the third all-unseeded contest in ATP Masters 1000 history.

How the match unfolded

Rinderknech, the elder cousin, started strongly, breaking Vacherot in the third game and claiming the first set 6-4 after three unforced errors from the Monegasque.

The second set saw a closely fought battle watched by Roger Federer, with neither player able to dominate early. Rinderknech saved a break point with an ace but failed to capitalise on a later advantage, allowing Vacherot to force a decider after an unforced error from his cousin.

Decider drama

Vacherot surged ahead immediately in the third set, seizing a break point in the opening game. The 26-year-old looked increasingly dangerous as Rinderknech struggled in the humidity, scrambling to save multiple break points in the third and fifth games.

Rinderknech received treatment on his back after the fifth game, having nearly been broken four times. Despite a partial revival, Vacherot broke again in the ninth game to seal the title, collapsing in disbelief.