Valentin Vacherot's incredible Masters 1000 streak is still alive! After conquering the Shanghai Masters as world no. 204, the Monegasque provided two more victories in Paris for nine straight triumphs at the premium ATP level.
Like in the Shanghai final, Valentin faced his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the second round in Paris. The younger player prevailed 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 54 minutes for a place in the last 16.
Vacherot collected nine points more than his rival. He defended 11 of 13 break points and broke his cousin five times from 11 opportunities to emerge at the top and remain on the title course.
Highlights of Valentin Vacherot taking on his cousin Arthur Rinderknech 🎞️#RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/tjiAA90P2k
— ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) October 29, 2025
Valentin made the difference behind the second serve. The Monegasque landed 32 winners and 38 unforced errors, while his rival stood on a 26-44 ratio. Rinderknech hit more service winners but trailed at the net and from the baseline.
Vacherot stood strong in the most extended exchanges, securing his victory in that segment. Valentin denied a break point in the first game of the duel with a service winner and broke at love in the next one after Arthur's volley error at the net.
Rinderknech pulled the break back in the third game after a massive forehand error from the Shanghai Masters champion. They served well in the upcoming games before Vacherot saved two break points at 4-4 with winners.
Valentin Vacherot, Paris Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
They reached a tie break and embraced 20 points. Arthur missed a set point at 6-5 and landed a service winner at 6-7. Vacherot saved another set point at 7-8 and missed his chance at 9-8.
The servers claimed ten straight points before Valentin sprayed a double fault at 9-10, allowing his rival to claim the opener in 74 minutes. Valentin made a fresh start and grabbed a break in the third game of the second set with a smash winner.
He saved two break points in the next one and provided two fine holds after that for 5-3. The Monegasque made a push on the return in the ninth game and passed his cousin at the net on the fourth set point, claiming the second part of the duel 6-3 and introducing a decider after an hour and 54 minutes.
Arthur Rinderknech, Paris Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
Rinderknech saved two break points in the second game of the final set and wasted two game points at 1-2 before losing serve after Vacherot's forehand down the line return winner.
Valentin netted a routine forehand in the next one and allowed his rival to pull the break back. Facing the exit door, the Monegasque denied two break points in the seventh game and remained on the positive side.
Arthur closed the eighth game after deuces and served to stay in the match at 4-5. Vacherot stepped in and created two match points, seizing the second with a forced error and moving over the top.
