Novak Djokovic ended his 11th Shanghai Masters campaign in the semi-final, suffering a 6-3, 6-4 defeat to world no. 204 Valentin Vacherot! Novak gave everything in his quest toward the second Masters 1000 final of the season.
However, he struggled physically, feeling sharp pain around his left hip and missing a chance to remain on the title course. The veteran felt discomfort right from the opening games, requiring medical timeouts and taking pain killers.
Unlike previous matches, nothing worked against a qualifier, who celebrated his career-best victory. Novak refused to discuss his physical issues, taking nothing away from his rival's triumph.
Leaving it all out there 🙌
How does he manage to do it 🤯#RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/FG38NgN1rQ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 11, 2025
Vacherot entered the draw as the qualifying alternate! He provided his career-best tennis to reach the main draw and oust six opponents en route to his first ATP final at 26!
The Monegasque kept his composure after losing serve in the first game of the match. He focused on his game and did not think much about an injured rival on the other side of the net.
Valentin landed 23 winners and 20 unforced errors. Struggling with his movement and receiving not enough help from his initial shot, Djokovic stayed below ten winners and added over 20 mistakes.
Valentin Vacherot, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
A qualifier fired more service winners and stayed in touch from the baseline while playing superb tennis at the net. He faced only two break points and lost serve once. Novak could not follow that pace.
The four-time champion played against six break points and gave serve away three times to end his campaign in the last four. The encounter started with back-to-back breaks.
Vacherot played well after that while Djokovic struggled, falling to the ground a couple of times and requiring a medical timeout after the seventh game. He netted a backhand at 3-4 and experienced a break.
Valentin landed an ace at 5-3, holding at love and rattling off 12 of the final 13 points for 6-3 in 41 minutes. Novak received another treatment ahead of the second set and faced two break points in the first game.
Novak Djokovic, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
The veteran saved them and remained on the positive side, although he fell to the ground again after denying the second, battling to find at least some energy that would keep him competitive.
Djokovic held at 30 in the seventh game and had a game point at 4-4 after an incredible point. However, Vacherot extended the game with a return winner and claimed a decisive break after the Serb's double fault.
The Monegasque served for the win at 5-4 and faced a break point, the first since the opening game of the match. Vacherot saved it with a forced error and seized the second match point with a service winner for a career-best victory.
