Vacherot continued his streak of upsets at Shanghai Masters 2025 | Image Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
Valentin Vacherot became the lowest-ranked player ever to make it to the final of the Shanghai Masters after beating 4-time champion Novak Djokovic. The Serb was the favorite in the match despite the odds-defying display from Vacherot throughout the tournament.
However, the 24-time Grand Slam winner picked up an injury early in the game, and his opponent, in fine form, took full advantage. It remains unclear at the time of writing what injury Djokovic was carrying and how severe it is.
Vacherot broke serve in the 8th game of the first set, and took it 6-3. The match was punctuated by medical intervention for Djokovic, who seemed to move better in the second set, but it wasn't enough.
Vacherot, with his massive serve and backhand, kept his advantage and took the second set 6-4. Despite Djokovic's injury, there were several jaw-dropping points from both players, particularly in the second set.
Ultimately, Vacherot prevailed against the former world no.1, who was seemingly contemplating retiring after being in visible pain. After the match, the Monaco international described what it was like to play against Djokovic, one of Vacherot's idols growing up:
"To begin, I am not realizing it, so I cannot put words on it; this is just crazy. It's the goodness of the Lord. But just to be on the other side of the court of him was already an unbelievable experience. I think I've got so much to learn from this match, from him, and even from myself; I have a lot to give. I don't know how long it went, maybe an hour 40 minutes?
"It was pure joy, and like I said, not many people here wanted me to keep going. He's really, really appreciated here. He's won four times, I think. It's probably got lost in all his titles! It was a great experience for me. I'm just going to enjoy the win tonight and think about the final tomorrow."
Djokovic struggled with an injury | Credit: IMAGO / Xinhua
The 26-year-old has written quite the script at this edition of the Shanghai Masters. He beat Laslo Djere, Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, Tallon Griekspoor, and Holger Rune to reach the semifinals. In the quarterfinals against Rune, in particular, Vacherot pulled off a major upset, coming from behind to win 2-6, 7-6, 6-4. Speaking about what's helped him reach this stage, he said:
"First of all, the way I was taught to live life was always to be positive. Thanks to my parents, thanks to my family. When I was growing up, my brother Benjamin, who is sitting right there, was on tour and was ranked around 200 in the world, and for me, it was already unreal to be 200th in the world.
"And just now to be here, I want to say thank you to all the coaches, because they taught me the same thing. Just to work hard, and that's how I learned how to be a professional tennis player. To stop just playing for fun and really work as a professional. To be as high in the ranking."
Lastly, Vacherot also spoke about the tennis federation of Monaco, and showed gratitude towards his countrymen:
"And I want to thank the Monaco Federation. We're such a small family, and we're pushing each other. I did this (become the lowest-ranked player ever to make it to the final), but other players have done it in doubles and other tournaments. So I'm just happy watching them.
"They gave me a little bit of an idea, even though singles is different. So I just want to thank everyone who has been part of my career because they taught me how to be down to earth and to fight, and that's why I'm here today."
Vacherot will play the winner of the other semifinal between Daniil Medvedev and Arthur Rinderknech.
