Valentin Vacherot returns to Shanghai to defend ATP title

Tennis player Valentin Vacherot returns to Shanghai to defend his title one year after an improbable championship run. Entering the tournament as an alternate ranked No. 204, Vacherot secured the title by winning seven main draw matches, including a historic victory over Novak Djokovic and a final win against his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech.

Now ranked No. 14, Vacherot faces the challenge of defending the 1,000 ranking points earned from his previous victory. He has expressed awareness that his ranking may drop following the tournament but remains focused on end-of-season goals, including winning another tournament and securing a seeded position for the Australian Open in Melbourne. His first-round match in Shanghai is scheduled against Sebastian Baez.