Paris Masters star refuses to celebrate win as heartwarming reason revealed

Valentin Vacherot has explained why he kept his celebrations very low-key after reaching the last 16 of the Paris Masters. Vacherot made history earlier this month when he became the lowest-ranked champion in Masters 1000 history, lifting the trophy in Shanghai as a qualifier ranked down at No. 204 in the world.

It was a fairytale for Vacherot in Shanghai, as he defeated his own cousin, French ace Arthur Rinderknech, in the championship match. And just 17 days later, they met again in the second round of the Paris Masters, having both received wildcards into the main draw thanks to their recent efforts in China.

Once again, Vacherot came from a set down to beat Rinderknech, winning a tight, two-hour and 54-minute contest 6-7(9) 6-3 6-4. Both men were giving it large during the match, spurring the crowd to cheer them on in the important moments.

But when he finally got the job done, Vacherot didn't want to celebrate his second-round victory in the La Defense Arena out of respect for his cousin.

The Monegasque star was asked about his "very muted, respectful celebration", and he replied: "I mean, of course, when I won in Shanghai two weeks ago, I had to celebrate some.

"I probably would have celebrated a bit more if it wasn't Arthur. But today, for the second round, for the show we give to the crowd, it was just full respect for him and for what we are doing."

Vacherot is now through to the last 16 to face Britain's Cameron Norrie. It's been a month full of firsts for the 26-year-old, who stunned Novak Djokovic, Holger Rune and Alexander Bublik on the way to his historic title victory in Shanghai - but he's not feeling the pressure.

"I've always handled [these situations], most of the time, good. Of course, in some other moments, no," he explained.

"Middle of the third [set], I didn't handle the break that I did well at all. But of course I'm surprising myself in some ways because playing in front of so many people, 90 per cent probably cheering for Arthur since he's their Davis Cup player, I'm just enjoying so much.

"I had so much fun today just to be with Arthur on the court in Paris, the crowd deserved their final of Shanghai."

Vacherot paid tribute to his cousin and their loved ones as he wrote "I love my family" on the camera lens after the match. But the Shanghai Masters champion won't have any loyalties in his next match as he faces British No. 2 Norrie, who stunned Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday night.

Alcaraz received a bye into the second round as the top seed and suffered a 4-6 6-3 6-4 defeat. The world No. 1 had previously not lost a match at Masters 1000 level since the Miami Open in March, and he'd reached at least the finals of his last nine tournaments.

The Spanish superstar hit 54 unforced errors and argued with his coach during the erratic match. Norrie took advantage, getting his first career win over a world No. 1.