VALENTIN VACHEROT became Monaco’s first ATP Tour singles champion and the lowest-ranked player in history to win a Masters 1000 event by beating his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in Shanghai today.

The world number 204, who beat four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, came from a set down for the sixth time in the tournament to win 4-6 6-3 6-3.

Rinderknech struck 12 winners and committed just two unforced errors on his way to winning the opening set, but from 3-3 in the second set Vacherot broke his opponent in consecutive games to lead by a break in the third.

A medical time out for Rinderkinech at 3-2 only delayed the inevitable as Vacherot secured his maiden tour-level title.

“It is unreal what just happened. I have no idea what is happening right now. I am not even dreaming, it is just crazy,” Vacherot said on the ATP Tour website.

“I am just so happy with my performances the past two weeks. I just want to thank everyone who has helped with my career since the beginning.

“There has to be one loser, but I think there are two winners today. One family that won and I think for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal.”