The Rolex Shanghai Masters has taken an intriguing twist as cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot both secured spots in the semi-finals of this prestigious ATP 1000 event, marking a notable highlight in their careers.
Rinderknech advanced following a compelling straight-sets victory over Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was seeded 12th, with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4. This match marked Rinderknech’s entry into the semi-finals after previously defeating world No. 3 Alexander Zverev and 15th seed Jiri Lehecka. Following his triumph, a visibly excited Rinderknech celebrated by raising his arms in victory, directing his joy toward Vacherot, who was fervently supporting him from the stands.
“This is a huge moment for us,” Rinderknech remarked. “The whole family has been following our journeys from home, and being able to share this experience here is incredible. I felt good on the court today, and winning in straight sets means I have more energy for tomorrow.”
On the other hand, Vacherot, a qualifier representing Monaco, had already made headlines by defeating the 10th-seeded Holger Rune in a stunning upset, showcasing his potential at this high-stakes tournament. After watching Rinderknech through a tense match, Vacherot expressed relief at getting through the earlier rounds and hopes to join him in a family showdown in the final. “It would be amazing to face Arthur in the final,” he noted. “We are in our little bubble, enjoying the experience together with only a small team around us.”
Rinderknech’s semi-final journey has been swift, with his match against Auger-Aliassime concluding in just 87 minutes. The Frenchman efficiently converted break points in both sets while successfully defending against Auger-Aliassime’s attempts to break his serve.
Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime’s exit means he currently sits 10th in the Live Race to Turin standings, trailing behind Lorenzo Musetti, who occupies the final qualifying position for the ATP Finals next month.
As for the upcoming semi-finals, Vacherot is set to face tennis legend Novak Djokovic, while Rinderknech will take on Daniil Medvedev, who won his quarter-final match against Alex de Minaur with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Medvedev’s performance was characterized by solid shot-making and clutch play during critical moments, as he demonstrated his competitive prowess against the Australian.
Having won this event in 2019, Medvedev is eager to extend his title count, which has stayed at 20 since May. Reflecting on his match, he stated, “I was really tired and knew that Alex would push me to my limits with long rallies. I managed to stay focused, especially when it counted, and I’m pleased with my performance overall.”
As anticipation builds for the potential of a family final in Shanghai, the focus now shifts to whether these two talented cousins can overcome their formidable opponents in the semi-finals.
