SHANGHAI – In a stunning turn of events that sent ripples through the tennis world, Valentin Vacherot achieved the most significant victory of his professional career. On Saturday, he defeated a visibly hampered Novak Djokovic with a decisive score of 6-3, 6-4. This remarkable win not only marked an incredible upset but also propelled Vacherot into the Shanghai Masters final, where he is set to face an unexpectedly familiar opponent: his own cousin.
Ranked 204th globally, Vacherot, representing Monaco, initially entered the tournament as a mere alternate in the qualifying rounds. Yet, against all odds, he is currently enjoying a truly exceptional and career-defining week, exceeding all pre-tournament expectations with his outstanding performance.
“Is this real? I don`t know,” expressed the 26-year-old Vacherot, still in disbelief moments after securing his triumph over the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “To have Novak on the other side of the court was, above all, an incredible experience for me.”
Remarkably, his next challenge on court will indeed be against his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech. Rinderknech secured his own spot in the final by overcoming the 16th-seeded Daniil Medvedev in a hard-fought three-set match, with scores of 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, in the other enthralling semifinal encounter.
The 38-year-old Djokovic appeared to be noticeably hindered by a persistent hip ailment throughout the match. His discomfort was evident when he called for a medical timeout after falling behind 4-3 in the first set. Following this, he managed to win just a single point over the subsequent two games, underscoring the severity of his physical struggles.
Despite his evident physical challenges and the unexpected defeat, the four-time Shanghai Masters champion gracefully refrained from using them as an excuse for his performance, demonstrating true sportsmanship.
“It’s all about him,” Djokovic graciously stated in his post-match comments. “I wish him all the best in the final, and today, the better player emerged victorious.”
Djokovic further commented on Vacherot`s extraordinary journey, adding, “His journey from the qualifications is an incredible story. I conveyed to him at the net that he`s played an outstanding tournament, and beyond that, his attitude is exemplary, and his game was truly impressive.”
Before embarking on his professional career, Vacherot honed his tennis skills and competitive spirit while playing college tennis for Texas A&M University.
