Arthur Rinderknech is set to take on his cousin Valentin Vacherot in the final of the Shanghai Masters for the coveted title in a family affair.
Frenchman Rinderknech, who got the better of Daniil Mevedev in the semifinals, will square up against Monegasque Vacherot, who stunned the legendary Novak Djokoivic to move into the championship clash.
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“I don’t know. In the best dreams we couldn’t have dreamt about this,” Rinderknech said addressing the final.
“I can’t even say it’s a dream. I don’t think even one person in our family dreamt about it,” the Frenchman continued.
“It wasn’t a dream. It’s just a dream that came out of nowhere and we started believing it maybe
in the quarters,” he added.
“I was like ‘Who knows? It’s very hard. Maybe a guy or two can pull out. Whatever can happen.’ Now we are here.”
“We fought so many matches. Somehow we are both guys standing at the end. Just incredible,” Rinderknech said.
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Vacherot, the rising star from Monaco, produced the performance of his life to defeat the 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic 6-3, 6-4.
The 26-year-old qualifier from Monaco — ranked outside the world’s top 200 — not only handed Djokovic a rare straight-sets defeat but also became the lowest-ranked player ever to reach a Masters 1000 final in the process.
The 38-year-old Djokovic, visibly struggled throughout the match. as he vomited courtside, took multiple medical timeouts, and grimaced during extended treatment for apparent leg and back issues.
Despite breaking Vacherot in the opening game, the world No. 1 was quickly pegged back as the Monegasque underdog broke straight back and seized control of the match.
From there, Vacherot showed remarkable poise and power, breaking again in the eighth game and sealing the first set with a pair of thunderous aces.
“You deserve it. You played unbelievable. Keep it going,” Djokovic said following the upset.
“Such a pleasure to play at least once against you. Don’t retire,” Vacherot said in response.
