The world No 204 Valentin Vacherot has stunned Novak Djokovic to reach the Shangai Masters final.
The 26-year-old Monegasque triumphed 6-3, 6-4 to knock out Djokovic and record the result of his career so far, extending a remarkable run in China which could yet see him meet his cousin, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, in the final.
Rinderknech was next on court against Daniil Medvedev, and Vacherot signed a camera with “allez Arthur” as he departed.
Vacherot’s journey to the final has been extraordinary after spending half the season out injured. “I didn’t even come as a qualifier, I came as an alternate,” he explained this week. “I wasn’t sure to even play the qualifier. Coming back from six months out is always not easy. You cannot just come back and win tournaments right and left. You’ve just got to fight your way through a little bit.”
more to follow…
