Valentin Vacherot makes history, world no 204 defeats injured Novak Djokovic at Shanghai Masters semifinal

Valentin Vacherot had the biggest victory of his career after the Monegasque qualifier took down a challenge from record four-time champion Novak Djokovic to reach the Shanghai Masters final on Saturday. The world no.204 prevailed 6-3, 6-4 against an injured Djokovic with the Serbian's on-court struggles with fitness clearly visible.

In the process, Vacherot became the lowest-ranked finalist in the ATP Masters 1000 history since 1990. The 26-year-old took advantage of his opposition's injury and capitalised on Djokovic's physical struggles to ease his way into the summit clash. Notably, Djokovic had twice received treatment from the physio on his lower back in the opening set.

A hobbling Djokovic threw up courtside and received medical treatment multiple times, but still managed to last two sets, although he was far from his best. Vacherot will face either his cousin, the unseeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, or Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's final.

Did Novak Djokovic suffer fresh injury?

Djokovic has been facing fitness issues throughout 2025. The Serbian reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slams this year but failed to make it to the title clash. Against Vacherot, Djokovic found himself in distress in the opening set. The Serbian halted play and called for a medical timeout as pain surged through his lower back.

Djokovic was attended the physio immediately. To add misery to the situation, Spanish news outlet Punto De Break’s director Jose Moron revealed chilling details about Djokovic's injury. “Djokovic, who was already dealing with issues in his right ankle, left adductor, and the back of his right shoulder, now adds a new physical problem in Shanghai: the upper part of his left glute (translated from Spanish)," Moron wrote on X.

Who is Valentin Vacherot?

Tennis runs in Vacherot's family. Born in 1998, Vacherot started playing tennis at a very young age and went to play college tennis for Texas A&M University. Vacherot, who turned professional in 2022, is coached by half-brother Benjamin Balleret. Interestingly, Benjamin is a son of a former players Bernard Balleret and Alexia Dechaume-Balleret.

In fact, former US Open pre-quarterfinalist Arthur Rinderknech, is Vacherot’s cousin brother. Vacherot first came into limelight when he won his maiden ATP Challenger title at the Nonthaburi Challenger 2022.

Vacherot made his Grand Slam debut last year at the French Open after qualifying and became the first player from the Monegasque Tennis Federation to make it to the main draw. Vacherot's Roland Garros debut was shortlived as he lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round.