Rinderknech. – Foto: Instagram @ arthurrinder
Arthur Rinderknech secured a spot in the Shanghai Masters 1000 final by defeating Daniil Medvedev in a comeback, with scores of 4/6, 6/2, and 6/4, in a 2h29 match on Saturday, October 11, 2025. The 30-year-old Frenchman, currently ranked 54th in the ATP, will face his cousin Valentin Vacherot, who earlier defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets. The family showdown takes place on Sunday at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, China, marking the first Masters 1000 final for both.
Rinderknech’s run included upsets over Alexander Zverev, Jiri Lehecka, and Felix Auger-Aliassime, marking his best streak against top-20 players.
Vacherot, a 26-year-old Monegasque ranked 204th, entered as a qualifier and is now the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 finalist ever.
The Frenchman has eight top-20 wins since June 2025, matching his prior career total.
Wow.
#54 Arthur Rinderknech comes back to beat former #1 and 2019 champ Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 and reach his second career final, first ATP Masters 1000.
He will face his cousin Valentin Vacherot in the final tomorrow.
One of the most INCREDIBLE tennis stories… ever. pic.twitter.com/Gc7rwLYrG3
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 11, 2025
Aggressive strategy seals comeback
Rinderknech turned aggressive after losing the first set, saving nine break points in the next two sets.
He hit 47 winners to Medvedev’s 32 and served 12 aces, despite 40 unforced errors.
High humidity in Shanghai slowed the pace, but the Frenchman varied net play, winning 31 of 47 volley points.
Medvedev, the 2019 champion, missed three break points in the decider and double-faulted on match point.
Vacherot’s stunning run
Valentin Vacherot advanced with a 6/3, 6/4 win over Djokovic in 1h42.
The former Texas A&M player saved early break points and hit 23 winners.
Djokovic received treatment for back pain twice in the first set, limiting his mobility.
Vacherot will climb 146 ranking spots to 58th, securing a top-100 debut.
- He won eight straight matches in Shanghai, including Holger Rune in the quarters.
- As a qualifier, he’s the second-lowest-ranked Masters 1000 semifinalist.
- Injuries sidelined him in 2024, but he surged in the 2025 Asian swing.
French history in Masters 1000
Rinderknech is the ninth Frenchman to reach a Masters 1000 final, following Guy Forget, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and others.
Only four Frenchmen have won: Forget (twice), Tsonga (twice), and Cedric Pioline (once).
The last French title was Tsonga’s in Canada in 2014.
Vacherot, the first Monegasque in a Masters semifinal, adds a unique layer to the event.
The cousins faced off once in a 2018 French ITF, with Rinderknech winning.
Numbers behind Rinderknech’s upset
Medvedev won 74% of first-serve points in the first set but dropped to 62% later.
Rinderknech led in net points and broke the Russian’s serve twice in the third set.
Medvedev has lost three finals in 2025 and seeks a title since Rome 2023.
He’ll rise to 14th in the rankings but risks missing the ATP Finals for the first time since 2019.
Vacherot landed 78% of first serves against Djokovic, converting the only break.
Rare family clash in the circuit
The cousins supported each other in Shanghai, with Vacherot watching Rinderknech’s semifinal from the stands.
Rinderknech said the family final emerged from tough quarterfinal battles.
Both break barriers: Rinderknech eyes a top-30 debut, potentially 22nd with a title.
Vacherot, a Challenger veteran, aims for his first ATP trophy and top 50.
The final starts at 2 p.m. local time, with a $1.18 million prize for the winner.
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