Let the wild cards begin for Valentin Vacherot.
Actually, he will require only two this year–next week, and then at the season-ending Paris Masters. Next year, Vacherot will have direct entry into pretty much any main draw he wants. After all, the 26-year-old soared to No. 40 in the rankings thanks to his shocking triumph at the Shanghai Masters–where he defeated his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, in the final.
It was announced on Tuesday that Vacherot does, in fact, have a wild card for the upcoming Swiss Indoors Basel.
“Thanks to a wild card, spectators will have the opportunity to see one of the biggest sensations of the season,” Basel tournament organizers confirmed.
Vacherot has also requested a wild card for Paris, which he should have no trouble getting even though he hails from Monaco rather than France.
“Two weeks ago, with all due respect, not many people knew him,” said tournament director Cedric Pioline. “Now I think he has a name that speaks, that’s in the news. He’s identifiable.”
Vacherot’s run in Shanghai included successful qualification followed by wins over Laslo Djere, Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, Tallon Griekspoor, Holger Rune, and Novak Djokovic. He was ranked No. 204 in the world before the tournament started. Rinderknech was ranked 54th, so it was without question the most surprising final matchup in Masters 1000 history–and also the most surreal given the family connection.
deserved