Valentin Vacherot Shocks Novak Djokovic to Reach Shanghai Masters Final
In a stunning turn of events at the Shanghai Masters, world No. 204 Valentin Vacherot has pulled off one of the biggest dislocations of the time, defeating tennis legend Novak Djokovic to reach the event final.
The 26- time-old Monegasque, largely unheralded on the ATP circuit, disassembled Djokovic 6- 3, 6- 4, circumscribing an extraordinary run in China.
Suckers are now bracing for the possibility of a family showdown, as Vacherot could face his kinsman, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, in Sunday’s decider.
Before leaving the court, Vacherot even signed a camera lens with a cheeky message: “allez Arthur”, showing the camaraderie between the cousins.
This season has been a rollercoaster for Vacherot, who spent six months sidelined with injury. Reflecting on his journey, he admitted, “I didn’t even come as a qualifier; I came as an alternate.
I wasn’t sure to even play the qualifier. Coming back from six months out is not always easy. You cannot just come back and win tournaments right and left. You’ve just got to fight your way through a little bit.”
His road to the final has been nothing short of remarkable. He crushed 10th seed Holger Rune in a gritty three-set quarter-final, 2- 6, 7- 6( 4), 6- 4, getting the alternate-smallest-ranked player ever to reach an ATP Masters semi-final.
The moment HISTORY was made
From an Alternate to the Final, Valentin Vacherot has booked himself a spot in Sundays showdown #RolexShnaghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/pqLaGhbhpb
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 11, 2025
Djokovic, floundering in the sweltering Shanghai heat, demanded treatment during the match and eventually succumbed to Vacherot’s grim play.
Despite the defeat, Novak Djokovic showed great sportsmanship at the net: “You deserve it, you played unbelievably. Keep it going.” Vacherot responded warmly: “Thank you very much. It is such a pleasure to play at least once against you.”
Speaking to TennisTV, Vacherot described the moment as surreal: “This is just crazy. I mean, crazy is a good word. To just be on the other side of a court was already an unbelievable experience.
I’ve got so much to learn from this match, from him, and even from myself. It was an hour and 40 of pure joy, even though not many [fans] wanted me to keep going! He’s really, really appreciated here; he’s won four times here.
But it’s an unreal experience. Now I am going to enjoy the win tonight and think about the final tomorrow.”
The potential final against Rinderknech promises an intriguing family narrative. The cousins have been closely following each other’s matches from the stands, cheering each other through the rounds.
Rinderknech admitted the challenge of watching his relative in action: “I was stressing so much during the whole match, I’m not used to watching guys playing on court and wanting him to win so much.
I was trying not to show anything. Today was a lot calmer for me on court. He’s going through the emotions, and I’m trying to battle to follow and do as good as him.
He’s been incredible since the beginning of the week, and the whole family is following from home. We are in a little world here of our own. It’s been incredible, it’s been unreal.”
Both players will see significant climbs in the ATP rankings. Rinderknech is poised to enter the top 30 for the first time, while Valentin Vacherot will break into the top 100, a remarkable reward for a player who began the season as an alternate.
Shanghai Masters has witnessed a week of drama, family ties, and unforgettable tennis moments. The final promises not only top-tier competition but also a unique story of kinship on the world stage.
