In a stunning turn of events at the Shanghai Masters, Valentin Vacherot achieved a career milestone by defeating tennis legend Novak Djokovic with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4. This match marked a significant moment for Vacherot, who is currently ranked 204th in the world and had entered the tournament as an alternate in the qualifying rounds.
Vacherot, a 26-year-old from Monaco, expressed his disbelief immediately after the match. “Is this real? I don’t know,” he reflected, acknowledging the honor of competing against a player of Djokovic’s caliber. “To have Novak on the other side of the court was, first of all, an unbelievable experience for me.”
As Vacherot prepares for the final, he will face off against his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, who secured his place by overcoming the challenge of 16th seed Daniil Medvedev, with a comeback victory of 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the other semifinal match.
Djokovic, at 38 years old and a four-time champion of the event, struggled throughout the encounter due to a sore hip, prompting him to take a medical timeout after trailing 4-3 in the opening set. Despite his discomfort, Djokovic refused to attribute his defeat to injury, stating, “It’s all about him. I wish him all the best in the final, and the better player won today.” He praised Vacherot’s performance and attitude, acknowledging the impressive journey the young player had made within the tournament.
Having honed his skills competing in collegiate tennis at Texas A&M, Vacherot’s triumph over one of tennis’s greatest players adds an exciting chapter to his burgeoning career. As he looks to capitalize on this momentum in the final, fans around the globe will be eagerly watching the showdown between the cousins, marking an unprecedented occasion in the tournament’s history.
