Arthur Rinderknech recorded the biggest triumph of his career at the Rolex Shanghai Masters 2025, overpowering Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4 to secure a place in his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. The Frenchman displayed sharp, aggressive tennis and closed the contest in 87 minutes.
Commanding Performance From Rinderknech
Rinderknech entered the quarter-final after ousting World No. 3 Alexander Zverev and World No. 19 Jiri Lehecka, and he maintained his impressive level against World No. 13 Auger-Aliassime. His precision on serve and baseline control forced the Canadian onto the back foot throughout the match.
Auger-Aliassime, who had dropped serve only once all week, was broken twice as Rinderknech dictated rallies with clean, attacking strokes. A series of forehand errors and a double fault from the Canadian handed Rinderknech the crucial first-set break. He capitalized with confidence, striking nine winners to just three unforced errors to take the opener.
In the second set, the 30-year-old handled pressure superbly, fending off three break points at 2-1 to hold his lead. His aggressive serving and court positioning carried him through to victory on his second match point.
Inspired by Family
After sealing the win, Rinderknech lifted his arms in celebration and glanced toward his cousin Valentin Vacherot, who faces Novak Djokovic in the other semi-final.
“It is huge. First of all, I followed my cousin,” Rinderknech said. “He was going through the emotions on Thursday and I am trying to follow and battle and do the same as him. It has been incredible since the start of the tournament.
“The whole family is following from home. We are in our own little world here. It has been incredible and today was a good performance from myself and I am happy it was straight sets, so I am not too tired for tomorrow.”
Climbing Up the ATP Rankings
Rinderknech’s Shanghai run pushes him 17 places higher to No. 37 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, setting him up for a new career-best next week. He is now only the third Frenchman ever to reach the Shanghai Masters semi-finals, following Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gilles Simon. He will next face either Alex de Minaur or Daniil Medvedev for a spot in the final.
“I was stressing so much yesterday during his whole match,” Rinderknech admitted, recalling Vacherot’s win against Holger Rune. “I am not used to watching guys play on court and I wanted him to win so much. Was so stressed but I didn’t want to show anything. I didn’t want to stress him. Today was a lot calmer for me on court.”
Auger-Aliassime’s Race to Turin Tightens
The defeat leaves Auger-Aliassime in 10th place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, 530 points behind Lorenzo Musetti, who currently holds the last qualifying position for the Nitto ATP Finals.
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