Qualifier Valentin Vacherot of Monaco defeated world tennis champion Novak Djokovic in the Shanghai Masters semifinals on Saturday, securing a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Vacherot, ranked 204th globally, advanced to the finals after overcoming the 38-year-old Serbian player, who was seeking his fifth Shanghai Masters title. Djokovic experienced health issues during the match, vomiting courtside and receiving medical attention, which affected his performance.
The upset marks one of the most notable victories of Vacherot’s career and a rare early exit for Djokovic in a major tournament. Djokovic showed visible discomfort and struggled with mobility throughout the match, raising questions about his physical condition.
Fans and analysts expressed surprise over the result, as Djokovic had been widely expected to win the tournament. The Shanghai Masters continues Sunday with Vacherot advancing to compete for his first ATP title.