From Underdogs to Champions: Vacherot’s Improbable Shanghai Masters Triumph
A shift is occurring in men’s tennis, with opportunities arising for players outside the established elite. The Shanghai Masters showcased this perfectly, as players typically relegated to qualifying rounds and early exits seized the moment, echoing similar upsets seen in Cincinnati and upcoming in Paris. Champions like Hubert Hurkacz, David Ferrer, Borna Coric, and Karen Khachanov have previously demonstrated this potential, and now Lucas Vacherot has joined their ranks with a stunning victory.
Vacherot’s path to the title was nothing short of remarkable. He arrived in China with limited ATP experience – barely twenty professional matches under his belt – initially hoping to compete in qualifying. Instead, he found himself in the spotlight, defeating Bublik, Machac, Griekspoor, rune, and ultimately, Novak Djokovic.
His final victory held a notably poignant narrative: a comeback win against his French cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, a player who had consistently defeated him throughout their history. The two shared a close connection, having been roommates at Texas A&T University from 2016 to 2018, where Rinderknech had also won their only official match, the 2018 ITF event in France.
Despite Rinderknech’s initial advantage, leveraging his experience and a strong serve, Vacherot demonstrated newfound maturity throughout the tournament. Utilizing his 193cm frame to strengthen his own serve and wear down his opponent, he battled back from a deficit to dominate the second set, ultimately securing the championship with a decisive forehand passing shot. This win propelled him from ranking 204 to 40 in the world.
Vacherot’s journey is even more inspiring considering a recent injury that stalled his progress.He carries the flag of Monaco, his mother’s homeland, despite being born in France, and is coached by his stepbrother, Benjamin Balleret. his victory marks the lowest-ranked player to win a Masters 1,000 title as Borna Coric’s triumph in Cincinnati in 2022.
The final was a historic occasion, representing only the second time in Masters 1,000 history that two players outside the top 50 contested the championship match (the first being Alex Corretja and Roberto carretero in Hamburg 1996). More significantly, it was the first time family members had faced off in a Masters 1,000 final, a unique situation reminiscent of past sibling rivalries in tennis, such as the Williams sisters, the Sánchez Vicarios, and the mcenroes. The family WhatsApp group, undoubtedly, was filled with joy following this extraordinary duel.
