There was no loser on Sunday in Shanghai, only a pair of cousins who lay their hearts on the line in one of the most impossible finals in the history of the 1000 masters.
In the end it was the world no.204 Valentin Vacherot who defeated the cousin he would always seek for inspiration and guidance. Monagesque brought out Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to conclude a dream to see him become the first player from Monaco to ever win an ATP title.
“I unreal what just happened,” Vacherot said. “I am just very happy with my performance during the last two weeks. I think there are two winners today – a family that won – I think for tennis sport the story is just unrealistic.”
Vacherot, who came from one set in six of his nine victories in Shanghai (including qualifying matches), becomes the lowest ranking champion in the Masters 1000 History and the fifth player who won his first ATP title at the Masters level.
It will grow 164 spots at no.40 in Live ATP tomorrow.
It was his old cousin who took over the accusation early, turning the only resting point he saw and competing through the opening group, 6-4.
But the 26-year-old Vacherot was unworthy.
“He did a better job than me in the first set, dealing with pressure, he played much better than me,” Vacherot for the first set said.
He gathered from 3-0 below, winning the last six matches of the middle set, then played as perfect as possible in the third set.
Vacherot finally made an unprecedented mistake in the eighth match of the decision maker after scoring 14 winners in the group and went forward with a break. In total he hit 17 winners against two mistakes forced in the last set.
“In the first set I didn’t bring my game,” he said. “Just just surreal to be with Arthur in this court.”
Monagesque made another mistake, but closed the game with a vanguard winner to hold for 5-3. He quickly grabbed the upper hand in the next match, breaking the rinderknech to close his victory in two hours and 14 minutes.
He ended up with 29 winners against the 19 forced mistakes, while Rinderknech struck 38 winners against 26 uninvited.
“I wish to have two winners. Unfortunately there is only one,” said one emotional Vacherot.
