Valentin Vacherot Stuns Novak Djokovic: Is He the Lowest-Ranked Player to Achieve This Feat?

Valentin Vacherot Stuns Novak Djokovic in Shanghai Masters Semi-Final Upset
Dramatic Rise of Valentin Vacherot at the Shanghai Masters
In a stunning turn of events at the Shanghai Masters, Valentin Vacherot, ranked No. 204 in the ATP Rankings, delivered a remarkable upset by defeating the legendary Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. Initially entering the tournament as an alternate in qualifying rounds, the 26-year-old from Monaco made the most of his last-minute opportunity. Overcoming each hurdle, he became the first Monegasque player to reach an ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.
Key Victories Leading to the Semi-Final
Vacherot’s path to the semi-final was anything but ordinary. He overcame several top-seeded players, including:
- 14th seed Alexander Bublik
- 20th seed Tomas Machac
- 27th seed Tallon Griekspoor
In the quarter-finals, Vacherot stunned 10th seed Holger Rune, setting the stage for his historic clash against Djokovic.
A Landmark Win Against Djokovic
Facing the former world No. 1 in Shanghai’s hot and humid conditions, Vacherot showcased exceptional skill and composure. His straight-sets victory, 6-3, 6-4, secured in just one hour and 41 minutes, marks the biggest win of his career and further asserts his growing presence on the tennis circuit.
Historic Rankings in Djokovic’s Career Losses
While Vacherot’s victory was monumental, he stands as the third-lowest-ranked player to defeat Djokovic. The rankings of players achieving similar upsets against the Serbian champion are notable:
Player | Ranking | Event |
---|---|---|
Filip Krajinovic | No. 319 | ATP 250 Belgrade, 2010 |
Reilly Opelka | No. 293 | 2025 Brisbane International |
Valentin Vacherot | No. 204 | Shanghai Masters 2023 |
Daniel Gimeno-Traver | No. 178 | Barcelona Open |
Notable Grand Slam Upset
In Grand Slam history, Djokovic’s most significant upset loss was to Denis Istomin, who ranked No. 117 during the 2017 Australian Open. As the tennis world observes Vacherot’s rise, it’s a reminder of the sport’s unpredictable and thrilling nature captured by Emegypt.