SHANGHAI: World No. 204 Valentin Vacherot pulled off one of tennis’s biggest shocks by beating Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in the Shanghai Masters semi-final on Saturday.
Djokovic, clearly struggling with illness, was treated several times courtside and even vomited during the match. Despite breaking early, the 38-year-old Serbian could not keep up physically as Vacherot, a qualifier from Monaco, stayed calm to seal the win.
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“I’m trying to pinch myself — is this real?” said Vacherot after the victory. The 26-year-old became the lowest-ranked player ever to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final.
Djokovic praised his opponent, saying, “It’s all about him. The better player won today.”
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Vacherot will now face his cousin Arthur Rinderknech, who defeated Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in another surprise result.
Rinderknech called it “the dream undreamable” as the cousins prepare for a historic family final on Sunday.