The Shanghai Masters will feature an unexpected but heartwarming final between cousinsArthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot, two players who had never reached a Masters 1000 quarter-final before this event!
Arthur and Valentin defeated former Shanghai champions Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic in the semi-final, arranging the most unexpected final at this level since the start of the series in 1990.
Valentin, world no. 204 stunned Novak Djokovic in the first match, and Arthur followed him after turning the tables against Daniil Medvedev. Rinderknech reflected on their joined tennis journey and admitted they will both leave Shanghai as winners, regardless of the outcome.
Valentin and Arthur spent many hours training together when they were younger, and their Shanghai fairy tale is a story years in the makingThey joined forces again at Texas A&M University, where they competed for the Aggies and forged a lasting bond.
Now, that connection has carried them to the biggest stage of their professional lives - arranging a Masters 1000 final with the lowest-combined ranking in series' history.
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For both, this is more than a personal achievement - it's a moment for their families, friends and coaches who guided them along the way. The cousin's journey from childhood hits and college sessions to Masters 1000 finalists captures the spirit of perseveranceand shared ambition.
Their Sunday's showdown is more than the title battle. It celebrates family, friendship and the joy of the unexpected. Whoever wins, the title will remain within a small circle of people, who will now how to celebrate it!
"The unimaginable dream. Not even in the biggest dream could we have imagined it when the tournament started. I'm not even sure where it comes from, but here we are in the final.
I suppose Valentin and I have done something good for the people around us to deserve experiencing something like this, because it's incredible. We trained thousands of times when we were younger and at Texas A&M.
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Despite the outcome tomorrow, there will be two winners, as we won everything today," Arthur Rinderknech said.
