In a stunning upset at the Shanghai Masters, World No. 204 Valentin Vacherot of Monaco defeated an ailing Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday, securing a place in the final against his French cousin Arthur Rinderknech. The 26-year-old qualifier became the lowest-ranked player ever to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final, ending Djokovic's bid for a fifth Shanghai title.
Vacherot maintained remarkable composure against the 24-time Grand Slam champion, later stating: "I'm trying to pinch myself, is this real. I'm really proud of how I managed this match mentally." Djokovic, who required multiple medical timeouts during the match, praised his opponent's performance as "an amazing story."
In a parallel surprise, Rinderknech rallied from a set down to defeat Russia's Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. The unprecedented family showdown marks the first ATP final featuring cousins since 2004, adding a unique chapter to Shanghai's storied tennis history.
