This week, Valentin Vacherot has been showcasing the Midas touch of tennis. He just proved it once again at the Shanghai Masters, where the Monegasque stunned everyone with his dominating stroke-making talent. Despite being a 204-ranked player, the rising talent has now accomplished the biggest glory of his career. The 26-year-old has etched his name in the history books after pulling off a sensational result against the six-time Shanghai king and tennis GOAT.

On the Stadium Court, Vacherot snatched an unthinkable, career-first top 10 win against none other than 24-time slam champion Novak Djokovic. In an all-important semifinal clash, Vacherot showed phenomenal racket play against the struggling Serbian. The latter had to take a medical time out due to a persisting issue with his lower back.

Still, one can’t take away the credit from young Vacherot. Taking the match in straight sets (6-3, 6-4), he has now become the lowest-ranked player ever to reach the summit clash of a Masters 1000 event. Also, he is now just the second ATP pro, ranked outside 200, to earn three top 20 wins in a single event this century. Before him, Tim van Rijthoven (ranked 205 in 2022) managed to achieve this feat at the ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

For the uninitiated, Vacherot had arrived in Shanghai as an alternate for qualifying. Now destiny has led him to his biggest career moment. His reaction after besting a living legend like Djokovic said it all. “I’m not realising (what’s happened), so I can’t give any words on it,” as reported by the ATP Tour’s website on October 11. It was their maiden encounter in a professional tournament. Vacherot managed to achieve a 1-0 H2H lead.

Trying to control his emotions, the Monegasque continued, “This is just crazy. First of all, to just be on the other side of the court (from Novak) was an unbelievable experience. I think I’ve got so much to learn from this match, from him. Even for myself, I’ve got a lot to keep.”

Top Stories

“He Spoke Too Much”: Alexander Bublik Takes Dig at Rival After Sending Him Home ‘With Taxi’ at Paris Masters

“Didn’t Like (Carlos) Alcaraz’s Attitude”- Paris Masters Exit Draws Harsh Verdict From Journalist

Jessica Pegula & Madison Keys Expose Gambling As They Unveil the Dark Side of Tennis

Olympic Tennis Star Undergoes Blood Test on Court As Worrying Scenes Witnessed at WTA 250

Paris Masters: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Booed by French Crowd Over Controversial Celebration

Concluding his reaction, he said, “It was an hour and 40 minutes of pure joy, even though not many people wanted me to keep going. He’s really appreciated here.” Vacherot will now wait for his opponent in the summit clash. Speaking of which, it may become a special occasion in itself for the 26-year-old.

Valentin Vacherot might be in for a ‘family final’ in Shanghai

In case someone missed keeping track, Valentin Vacherot’s cousin and ATP pro Arthur Rinderknech is also competing at the Shanghai Masters. Similar to his brother, Rinderknech also reached the semis of the Masters 1000 event yesterday. Currently, he is facing Russian star Daniil Medvedev to fight for a place in the summit clash.

Vacherot is currently waiting for the winner of the clash between Medvedev and Rinderknech. However, he will wish for the latter to make it through for the final to turn into a family affair. Both the cousin brothers have been elated seeing each other’s career-defining campaigns this week in China.

“Our family WhatsApp group is buzzing a lot the past few days,” said Rinderknech a few days back after he and Vacherot made it to the quarterfinal stage of the Shanghai Masters.

After earning his place in the semis, the French ATP pro was happy to match Vacherot’s performance who had already sealed a spot in the last four after besting Holger Rune. “I followed my cousin, you know, he is going through the emotions, and I am trying to follow and do as good as him. It has been incredible since the beginning of the week. The whole family is following from the home.”

Is this the ‘Modern Family’ of tennis? Tell us what you think in a comment.