Valentin Vacherot ousts Novak Djokovic in Shanghai to become lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 finalist

Valentin Vacherot will play for an improbable ATP Masters 1000 title after knocking out four-time Rolex Shanghai Masters champion Novak Djokovic on Saturday evening.

The 204th-ranked qualifier defeated an ailing Djokovic, 6-3, 6-4, to become the lowest-ranked player to reach a 1000-level final and first player from Monaco in ATP history to record a Top 10 win.

“To beat him, I’m not realizing, so I cannot put any words on it. This is just crazy. Just to be on the other side of the court was an unbelievable experience,” he told ATP Media following the win.

“I’ve got so much to learn from this match, from him, and even from myself, I have a lot to give.”

🖥️📲 The Match in 15 Minutes: Vacherot vs. Djokovic, Shanghai

Set to crack the Top 60 with his breakout showing, Vacherot now waits to see if cousin Arthur Rinderknech can set up one remarkable championship clash. Rinderknech meets Daniil Medvedev, the 2019 title holder, in the second final-four encounter.

“Aggies on top! Allez Arthur!” Rinderknech signed on the camera lens in reference to his and Rinderknech's college alma mater, Texas A&M University.

Vacherot and Djokovic exchanged early breaks before settling into the contest. The Serbian, who entered the court with tape on his upper left leg and right shoulder, called for the physio midway through the set. He took a small slip in the seventh game and was treated on his backside after Vacherot held.

Matters seemingly worsened for the Serb, as he tried to stretch out the troubled area. He continued to hobble, while Vacherot worked his backhand to great effect. Djokovic didn’t move when his opponent fired a serve out wide on set point.

With medication perhaps kicking in, the 24-time major winner fought to continue. The fourth seed came through a lengthy service game that saw him save one break point with an ace down the T and another in a grueling rally that ended with Djokovic going down to his knees to launch set two. Staying in front on serve for 2-1, Djokovic was revisited by the physio.

Intensity picked up, as the two battled on the baseline. Djokovic pushing to turn the tide, Vacherot working to focus on his end of the court. At 4-4, 30-30, the point of the match went Djokovic’s way as both competitors showcased all the hitting and feel in a 28-shot rally that brought the house down. Vacherot responded beautifully to force deuce, then demonstrated his ability to hit out of the corners to arrive at break point.

Djokovic double-faulted, though had a break chance to draw back even. Vacherot brushed it off, serving out his eighth victory of the tournament that began in qualifying after getting in as an alternate. He is the first qualifier since Filip Krajinovic at the 2017 Paris Masters to contest a 1000 title match.