PARIS — In a dramatic family affair that is quickly becoming a compelling subplot on the ATP Tour, Frenchman Valentin Vacherot once again got the better of his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, rallying from a set down to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in the first round of the Paris Masters. The win at the Accor Arena marks the second time in just three weeks that Vacherot has defeated his older relative, following his straight-sets triumph in the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters.
The 25-year-old Vacherot, currently ranked a career-high World No. 99, showcased remarkable resilience and a powerful baseline game to turn the match around after a shaky start. The victory is arguably the most significant of his young career on home soil, earning him a coveted second-round clash against the formidable World No. 6, Stefanos Tsitsipas.
A Family Feud on the Grand Stage
The unique dynamic of two cousins competing at the highest level of professional tennis adds a layer of intrigue that is rare in the individualistic world of the sport. Both players grew up in France, with Rinderknech, 28, having been a fixture on the main tour for several years. Vacherot, however, has been on a rapid ascent in 2024, breaking into the top 100 for the first time and now proving his mettle against a familiar foe. "It's never easy playing against Arthur," Vacherot admitted in his post-match press conference.
He elaborated on the psychological challenge, stating, "We know each other's games so well. We've practiced together countless times since we were kids. There are no secrets out there. You have to put the family relationship aside for two hours and just compete, which is difficult, but I think I managed that a bit better than him in the key moments today."
The first set belonged firmly to Rinderknech. Leveraging his big serve and aggressive returns, he broke Vacherot early and never looked troubled, closing out the set 6-4. It seemed the more experienced Rinderknech had learned from his loss in Shanghai and devised an effective game plan to neutralize his cousin's power.
The Momentum Shift
The match's turning point came early in the second set. With Rinderknech serving at 1-1, Vacherot engineered a crucial break point and converted it with a blistering cross-court backhand winner. That single shot seemed to release all the pressure Vacherot was carrying, while simultaneously planting a seed of doubt in Rinderknech's mind.
From that moment, Vacherot's game elevated significantly. His serve found its range, and he began to dictate rallies from the center of the court, pushing Rinderknech into defensive positions. He broke serve once more to take the second set 6-3, forcing a decider in front of an enthralled Parisian crowd.
Keys to the Comeback Victory
Vacherot's ability to wrestle control of the match was built on several key factors that became increasingly evident as the contest progressed:
- Improved First Serve Percentage: After a mediocre first set, Vacherot began landing a higher percentage of his first serves, which allowed him to start points aggressively and avoid lengthy baseline exchanges on his second serve.
- Dominance in Forehand-to-Forehand Rallies: Vacherot consistently came out on top when he could set up his potent forehand, using its heavy topspin to push Rinderknech back behind the baseline.
- Mental Fortitude: Overcoming the dual pressures of a familial showdown and a partisan home crowd demanding a spectacle, Vacherot displayed a cooler head in the pivotal third-set games.
The final set was a tense affair, with both players holding serve through the first seven games. The pressure finally told on Rinderknech at 3-4, as a series of unforced errors, including a costly double fault, handed Vacherot the decisive break. Serving for the match at 5-4, Vacherot showed no signs of nerves, closing out the victory emphatically with an unreturnable serve.
Echoes of Shanghai and Looking Ahead
This victory in Paris serves as a powerful confirmation of Vacherot's breakthrough run in Shanghai, where he became the first qualifier to reach an ATP Masters 1000 semifinal since 2021. His performance there, which included wins over Top 20 player Sebastián Báez and this very same cousin, announced his arrival on the main stage.
Reflecting on his recent surge, Vacherot said, "The confidence from Shanghai definitely carried over. To have a result like that shows you that you belong with these guys. Beating Arthur again, especially here in Paris, just reinforces that belief. It's a great feeling."
For Rinderknech, the loss is a frustrating end to his 2024 season. Ranked World No. 65, he has now lost four of his last five matches and will be left to ponder how to solve the puzzle his younger cousin has presented him with twice in quick succession.
A Daunting Challenge Awaits
The reward for Vacherot's gutsy win is a monumental test against Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek star, a former finalist at the Australian Open and a consistent force on tour, presents a completely different level of challenge. Tsitsipas enjoys the fast conditions in Paris and will be the heavy favorite.
However, Vacherot enters the match with nothing to lose and everything to gain. "It's another great opportunity for me," he said, his eyes already looking forward. "I'll go out there, try to play my game, be aggressive, and see what happens. It's why we play the game—to compete against the best."
This budding family rivalry has provided the tennis world with a captivating narrative. While the headlines for their next chapter will have to wait, for now, the bragging rights—and a spot in the second round of his home Masters—firmly belong to Valentin Vacherot. His victory not only solidifies his status as one of France's most promising new talents but also proves that in the Vacherot-Rinderknech household, for the time being, little cousin is firmly in charge.