Serving up a masterpiece

Culminating with an unexpected, yet inspiring final matchup, the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters has shone brightly on tennis' "China Swing" with a new champion crowned, multiple records broken and facility upgrades lauded.

After a fortnight of world-class action, a roller coaster of emotions and history-making feats, the only ATP 1000 tournament in Asia has delivered on its top-tier billing, overcoming several challenges, such as abnormal weather conditions and the early exits of star players, to serve up a real treat for tennis fans, both from home and abroad, in Shanghai.

Despite fan favorites Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev both bowing out in shock semifinal defeats, the final showdown on Sunday marked many "firsts" in not just tournament's history, but that of the sport overall. The eventual winner, Monaco's Valentin Vacherot, arriving in Shanghai a fortnight ago positioned at world No 204, became the lowest-ranked ATP Masters champion ever in a final that featured a first all-cousin encounter at this level when he faced off against Arthur Rinderknech of France.

"I don't even understand why I'm sitting here right now. It's crazy," the 26-year-old Vacherot said after outperforming Rinderknech in three sets in what was the first final appearance for each of them at a Masters tournament.

"Right now, I just want to enjoy the moment. I just got really, really emotional on the court after the ceremony, being up there with Arthur," said Vacherot, who wept together with his older cousin at the award ceremony.