Home / Sports / Djokovic Succumbs to Injury as Vacherot Clinches Shock Shanghai Masters Final Berth
Djokovic Succumbs to Injury as Vacherot Clinches Shock Shanghai Masters Final Berth
11 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Valentin Vacherot beats Novak Djokovic in Shanghai Masters semifinal
- Djokovic hampered by upper left leg injury, unable to mount comeback
- Vacherot, ranked outside top 100, reaches first ATP final
On October 11, 2025, the tennis world witnessed a stunning upset at the Shanghai Masters, as 26-year-old Valentin Vacherot defeated the legendary Novak Djokovic in the semifinal. Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, was hampered by an upper left leg injury that he sustained midway through the first set. Despite receiving treatment and painkillers, the Serbian superstar was unable to mount the physically defiant comeback that has become a trademark of his late career.
Vacherot, who was not even in the original Shanghai Masters draw and had entered as an alternate, seized the opportunity with remarkable composure. The Monégasque player, who had risen to the brink of the top 100 last year before an injury setback, has now won eight matches in a row, including victories over three top-20 players. His strategic clarity and precise shot-making proved too much for the ailing Djokovic, as Vacherot triumphed 6-3, 6-4 to reach his first ATP final.
