Valentin Vacherot topples Novak Djokovic to reach historic Shanghai final

In a sport that rarely runs out of surprises, Valentin Vacherot delivered one of the season’s most improbable plot twists in Shanghai.

The 204th-ranked qualifier from Monaco stunned four-time champion Novak Djokovic 6–3, 6–4 on Saturday to reach the biggest final of his career. In doing so, he became the lowest-ranked player ever to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final.

It was, by every measure, a shock of seismic proportions. A qualifier, an alternate entry no less, outlasting a 24-time Grand Slam winner on one of his most successful stages.

Even Vacherot seemed dazed in the aftermath. “To beat him, I’m not realizing it,” he admitted afterward. “It’s just crazy. To be on the other side of the court from him was already unbelievable.”

Djokovic, who walked onto court with tape on both his left leg and right shoulder, struggled physically throughout. He called for the trainer midway through the opening set after appearing to slip behind the baseline, grimacing as Vacherot coolly held serve for 4–3.

The Serbian’s movement remained hampered, and when the Monegasque fired a wide serve to seal the set, Djokovic didn’t even move to chase it. But if there’s one thing Djokovic has built his legend on, it’s survival.

As the second set began, he fought through a marathon service game, saving break points with an ace down the T and a scrambling backhand pass. For a brief spell, it felt as if he might bend the match to his will, as he has done so many times before.

Vacherot, though, never blinked. The 26-year-old used his backhand to probe Djokovic’s movement, mixing in drop shots and sharp angles that forced the Serb to cover uncomfortable ground. He stayed with Djokovic through the long rallies, matching him stroke for stroke until the turning point came at 4–4.

A 28-shot rally — the best of the match — ended in Djokovic’s favour, but Vacherot responded with fearless intent. He dragged the world No. 1 into another bruising exchange, earned a break point, and watched Djokovic double-fault it away.

From there, the qualifier showed the composure of a seasoned veteran. Serving for the match, he brushed off a break point and closed out his eighth win of the week. This was a run that began in qualifying and will propel him inside the world’s Top 60.

Djokovic was gracious in defeat, acknowledging both the scale of Vacherot’s achievement and the quality of his tennis. “It’s an amazing story,” he said. “He played great, and his attitude was even better. I told him at the net the better player won today.”

The result marks another first for Monaco. Vacherot is not only the principality’s first Masters finalist but also its first player to defeat a Top 10 opponent in ATP history.

It’s the sort of underdog chapter tennis fans cherish. The kind that stretches the imagination of what’s possible for players who live on the sport’s margins.

And the fairytale may yet have another twist.

Waiting on the other side of the draw was Vacherot’s cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, who later upset 2019 champion Daniil Medvedev 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 to set up a family affair in Sunday’s final.

“I don’t think even one person in our family dreamt about it,” Rinderknech laughed after his win. “It’s a dream that came out of nowhere.”