World No. 204 Valentin Vacherot made history at the 2025 Shanghai Rolex Masters, defeating 40-time Masters 1000 champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets to reach his first-ever Masters 1000 final.
Entering the tournament as a qualifier, the 26-year-old from Monaco not only secured the biggest win of his life but also became the first player from Monaco to reach a Masters 1000 final.
A Shocking Start: Djokovic Falters Despite Early Lead
As the match began, it looked like business as usual for Djokovic. The Serbian legend broke Vacherot in the opening game, asserting early control. But to everyone’s surprise, Vacherot immediately broke back, signaling that he was ready for a fight.
Djokovic, who has struggled with fitness issues throughout the week, soon appeared physically hampered ag