SHANGHAI, China (Reuters) -Monegasque Valentin Vacherot completed a fairytale run at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, rallying from a set down to defeat his cousin, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the final and secure his first ATP 1000 title.
The 26-year-old, ranked 204 at the start of the tournament, fired eight aces and 12 winners during the two-hour and 14-minute contest. He became the first player from Monaco to win an ATP singles title.
The victorious Vacherot was overwhelmed with emotion, before sharing a heartfelt embrace with his older cousin Rinderknech, 30.
Vacherot’s remarkable run means he will break into the ATP top 100 for the first time, while Rinderknech, ranked 54th, is set to rise into the top 40 when the latest rankings are released on Monday.
(Reporting