Cousin rivalry ends with the younger cousin's victory! Federer witnesses Vacherot, the Djokovic conqueror, claim the Shanghai title

The championship showdown at the Shanghai Masters between Lindeknech and Vacherot has come to an end! Fans and online viewers remarked that without the charming Federer on site, the match would have felt somewhat uninteresting.

This perception among some outsiders mainly arises from the unique close cousin relationship between Lin and Va. Such a family feud means that no matter the outcome, the prize stays within the family, naturally making it hard to ignite strong enthusiasm among spectators. Additionally, since both players have relatively low profiles in the tennis world, having them contest the Shanghai Masters final somewhat dampened fans' and netizens' excitement.

However, aside from the appearance of tennis heartthrob Federer adding extra appeal to the match, another positive aspect of this final was that the quality of play remained assured.

Before the match, some joked about this family duel, saying that whether the older cousin Lindeknech or the younger cousin Vacherot won, both would surely put in their utmost effort to deliver a thrilling match. After all, this kind of relationship’s match lacks the excitement expected from previous big clashes like Djokovic versus Medvedev. If they played too casually, fans and netizens would harshly criticize the Shanghai event and question whether they would dare to participate next year. The pressure forced both players to give their all.

As predicted by some before the match, from the very first set, the two cousins skipped any polite formalities and immediately launched into a fierce battle.

When Lindeknech quickly took a 3-1 lead and then secured the first set 6-4 with clear momentum over Vacherot, some viewers in the live chat bluntly said that if Lin wrapped up the match in two sets, the Shanghai Masters final would receive negative reviews. The reason being: the lineup was already uninspiring, and a quick finish would only increase fans’ and netizens’ disappointment, leading to all sorts of complaints.

Vacherot probably realized that if he let his cousin Lindeknech dominate the second set as in the first, losing in straight sets would trigger a harsh backlash. Starting from the second set, he unleashed the same dominance he showed when eliminating Djokovic in the semifinals, instantly turning the tide on court.

After breaking serve first in the eighth game of the second set to lead 5-3, the Monaco cousin did not disappoint, closing the set 6-3 and pushing the match into a decisive third set.

The final set brought the biggest surprise! It was expected that after being leveled, Lindeknech would shed all familial ties and fiercely compete with his cousin for his first Masters title. However, due to the intense battles in the previous sets, his stamina declined rapidly, leaving him at a disadvantage. Until Vacherot sealed the match 6-3, the French cousin was unable to mount any comeback and could only watch as his cousin overturned the score and lifted the Shanghai Masters trophy.

After the match, some commentators noted that although the cousins played with great effort, much of the spotlight was stolen by Federer, with many viewers frequently glancing at the Swiss maestro sitting in the stands.

Of course, no matter how captivating Federer was, he was ultimately not the main character of this match, merely adding extra brilliance to the final. All applause went to the Monaco player who emerged as the champion.

For Vacherot, who defeated Djokovic in the semifinals, lifting the Shanghai Masters trophy under Federer’s watch and impressing two tennis legends during this tournament, this Shanghai trip will surely be one of the most cherished memories of his career.

By defeating his cousin Lindeknech, Vacherot showed everyone what it means to be relentlessly determined. This Monaco cousin, who fought his way from the qualifiers to the final and won the title, created a legendary story in Shanghai, securing his name in people’s minds as truly remarkable.

Moreover, this victory not only crowned Vacherot as a new Masters champion, officially entering the Masters ranks, but also set two major records: first, becoming the lowest-ranked player ever to win a Masters men’s singles title, ranked 204th at the time; second, bringing Monaco its first-ever Masters title, creating a new milestone in the country’s tennis history.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Starry Sky of the Moon River)