Shanghai, China – Valentin Vacherot revealed the pivotal moment his belief in a Shanghai Masters title crystallized: his stunning straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. The 27-year-old frenchman, currently ranked no. 37, defeated the 24-time Grand Slam champion 6-3, 6-4, a win that fundamentally shifted his expectations at the tournament.
Vacherot’s unexpected run in Shanghai marks a career breakthrough for the relatively unheralded player. Prior to the Masters 1000 event,he had never reached an ATP final,let alone defeated a player of djokovic’s caliber. This victory not only secured his place in the final against fellow Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech but also signaled a potential turning point in Vacherot’s career, propelling him into the top 30 rankings and establishing him as a force to be reckoned with on the ATP Tour.
The path to facing Djokovic wasn’t easy. Vacherot navigated the qualifying rounds with comeback wins against Nishesh Basavareddy and Liam Draxl. In the main draw, he secured a first-round win against Laslo Djere, followed by an upset of seeded player Alexander Bublik and advancement past Tomas Machac due to a walkover. He then overcame Tallon Griekspoor in three sets before his quarterfinal triumph over Holger Rune.
“After the match against Novak, I started to believe I could actually win the tournament,” Vacherot stated. He ultimately fulfilled that belief, defeating Rinderknech in the final to claim his first ATP Masters 1000 title. The win solidifies Vacherot’s position as a rising star in men’s tennis and sets the stage for a potentially impactful end to the season and beyond.
