The two cousins making history: ‘The whole family is following’
First cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot have broken new ground in China by reaching the Shanghai Masters final and will face each other in the game of their lives.
Read more on a remarkable story:
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2025 09:09
Watch: Vacherot and Rinderknech hug after final confirmed
This is the beautiful moment when the two cousins embraced on court after Rinderknech’s win confirmed their improbable meeting in today’s final:
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2025 08:59
In pictures: Rinderknech knocks out Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev was knocked out in the semi-finals (Getty Images)
Arthur Rinderknech celebrates after winning his match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev (Reuters)
Rinderknech reacts to his semi-final victory (Reuters)
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2025 08:46
Rinderknech: ‘No one person in our family dreamt about it’
“I can’t even say it’s a dream because I don’t think even one person in our family dreamt about it,” Rinderknech said.
“We started believing it in the quarters, maybe. Now we are here, we fought through so many matches and somehow we are both guys standing at the end.”
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2025 08:33
Rinderknech sees off Medvedev to set up family final
Rinderknech was next on court against Daniil Medvedev. Vacherot signed a camera with “allez Arthur” as he departed, before the French 30-year-old triumphed over his Russian opponent 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2025 08:22
In pictures: Vacherot beats injured Djokovic to reach final
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic falls to the court during his men’s singles semi-final match against Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot (AFP via Getty Images)
Djokovic is treated by a physio during the semi-final (AFP via Getty Images)
Vacherot celebrates his stunning victory (AFP via Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2025 08:11
Djokovic: ‘The better player won’
The 38-year-old Djokovic was slowed throughout the match by a sore hip. He took a medical timeout after falling behind 4-3 in the opening set. He won only one point in the next two games.
But the four-time tournament champion did not make an excuse of his physical struggles.
“It’s all about him,” Djokovic said. “I wish him all the best in the final, and the better player won today.
“Going from qualifications, it’s an amazing story,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion added. “I told him at the net that he’s had an amazing tournament, but more so his attitude is very good, and his game was amazing as well.”
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2025 07:57
Vacherot, of Monaco, was an alternate in qualifying but is having a career week, which included a quarterfinal win over Holger Rune.
“Is this real? I don’t know,” the 26-year-old Vacherot said moments after defeating Djokovic. “To have Novak on the other side of the court was, first of all, an unbelievable experience for me.”
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2025 07:44
Vacherot v Rinderknech – Shanghai Masters final
Two cousins will meet in the final of the Shanghai Masters after qualifier Valentin Vacherot stunned a hobbled Novak Djokovic and relative Arthur Rinderknech fought back to beat Daniil Medvedev on Saturday.
The 204th-ranked Vacherot earned the biggest win of his career by downing Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 and becoming the lowest-ranked finalist in ATP Masters 1000 history, the ATP said.
While Djokovic was aiming to add to his 100 career titles, the 26-year-old Vacherot will go for number one — against his cousin and fellow Texas A&M alum.
A couple of hours after beating Djokovic, Vacherot walked back onto the court and hugged Rinderknech to help celebrate his cousin’s 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 comeback win over Medvedev and relish the rare moment. Sunday’s final will be the first time the cousins have played each other on the ATP circuit.
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2025 07:35
Vacherot v Rinderknech – Shanghai Masters final
Hello and welcome along to live updates of an extraordinary Shanghai Masters final between cousins Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech – that’s not something we thought we’d be writing at the start of the week, but here we are.
Lawrence Ostlere11 October 2025 20:13