By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, October 11, 2025
Photo credit: Rolex Shanghai Masters Facebook
Pounding his palm over his heart like a defibrillator, qualifier Valentin Vacherot pulled off the most pulsating win of his life.
World No. 204 Vacherot shocked Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 surging into his maiden ATP final at the Rolex Shanghai Masters today.
This is more that a stunning upset, it’s a massive milestone. Vacherot went from being an alternate in qualifying to making history as the lowest-ranked finalist in ATP Masters 1000 history and the first man from Monaco to reach an ATP final.
Vacherot summed up this Cinderella run with a single word “crazy.”
“To beat me, I’m not realizing, so I cannot put any words on it,” Vacherot said afterward. “Like this is just crazy.
“Crazy is a good word. But first of all just to be on the other side of the court was already unbelievable experience. I think I’ve got so much to learn from this match from him and even from myself. I’ve got a lot to keep. It was an hour and 40 of pure joy.”
“Just to be on the other side of the court was an unbelievable experience” 🔊
A moment Valentin Vacherot won’t be forgetting in a hurry 😍#RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/sI6FQgquyg
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 11, 2025
One of the most astounding runs of this ATP season will continue as Vacherot aims to keep this joy ride rolling in tomorrow’s final.
The 26-year-old qualifier will face either his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, or 2019 Shanghai champion Daniil Medvedev, in the final.
Today’s first semifinal was no fluke: Vacherot played big and bold and took his rips when they arrived.
The pair traded breaks to open. The qualifier settled in and surged through eight of the last nine points of the opener to snatch a one-set lead.
Four-time champion Djokovic, who carried a Shanghai record 43 wins at this event on court, injured his left foot earlier in the tournament and vomited twice on court during his quarterfinal win. At times, the 38-year-old Serbian superstar paused to tug on his foot. And while Djokovic was clearly not at his best, credit Vacherot for seizing the moment and making the most of his opportunity.
Across the net, Vacherot was all business.
Stamping strong holds throughout much of the second set, the qualifier made his move in the ninth game. Vacherot broke for 5-4.
Serving for the greatest win of his life, the qualifier saved a break point then converted his second match point. Vacherot, who looked to be in disbelief over what he had just achieved, rockets 146 spots in the rankings to a career-high ranking of No. 58 in the ATP Live Rankings.
