Ailing Djokovic beaten 6-3, 6-4 by underdog in semi-final
Vacherot becomes lowest-ranked Masters 1000 finalist
Valentin Vacherot continued his fairytale run through the Shanghai Masters draw by toppling an injured Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 to become the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 finalist.
In his first match against a top-five opponent, let alone the greatest men’s player of all time, the Monégasque world No 204 maintained his composure as he punished a hampered Djokovic, who appeared to struggle with his left gluteal muscle from early in the first set.
Having entered the tournament as the second-lowest direct entrant into the qualifying draw, Vacherot has put together one of the most shocking runs at a big tournament, winning eight matches over the past two weeks. That has included victories over the No 14 seed, Alexander Bublik, and Holger Rune, the 10th seed, alongside this giantkilling win over Djokovic, the fourth seed.
