Qualifier Valentin Vacherot stunned the world of tennis on Sunday by winning the Shanghai Masters.
The Monegasque star was a relatively unknown player amid an ATP Tour packed with superstars such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
However, the 26-year-old is now an undoubted superstar of the sport following his victory against his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final.
Vacherot, who was ranked 204 in the world during the tournament, will now rise to world number 40 after winning the final contested by two unseeded players – a first since 2003.
Vacherot’s victory in China is simply one of the most shocking results in the history of tennis, and this sentiment was echoed after the match.
Valentin Vacherot rallied from a set down on six occasions in Shanghai
Speaking on Sky Sports, British former tennis player Naomi Cavaday hailed Vacherot’s ability to fight back from a set down.
Including his qualifying rounds, Vacherot recorded comeback victories against Nishesh Basavareddy, Liam Draxl, Alexander Bublik, Tallon Griekspoor, Novak Djokovic and Arthur Rinderknech.
Cavaday said: “It is hard to fathom a bigger shock. An unprecedented result like this. It’s extraordinary.
“That’s the sixth time he has come back from a set down in this tournament. It’s absolutely ludicrous. He has not been favourite to win any of his matches. It’s utterly life-changing for Vacherot.”
Co-commentator Colin Fleming added: “It’s one of the most unlikely underdog stories we have ever seen in our sport.
“And you know what? He was the best player in this final. He stepped up and won it from 3-3 in the second set when maybe Rinderknech had half a chance.
“So fitting to finish with a winner, he was not to be stopped.”
Vacherot is the lowest-ranked Masters champion in ATP Tour history
Vacherot has made history on a monumental scale.
He is the first Monegasque player to win an ATP Tour singles title and therefore the only player from his country to win a Masters 1000 singles title.
Moreover, as per OptaAce, since the format’s introduction in 1990, Valentin Vacherot is now the lowest-ranked player to win an ATP Masters 1000 event, surpassing Borna Coric in Cincinnati in 2022.
Coric was ranked world number 152 when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Cincinnati Open final.
