World No. 204 Valentine Vacherot from Monaco took the tennis world by storm on Saturday, beating ill Novak djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals of Shanghai Masters. The 26 -year -old’s qualification over the 38 -year -old Serbia, struggling with vomiting, foot injuries, and fatigue under heat 31 ° C and a 62 percent moisture, to book a place in Sunday’s final against whether his cousin Arthur RinderKnech or Daniil Medvedev. “I’m trying to pinch myself. Is this real?” Vacherot said after his career victory. “Having a novak across the court is the first of my priceless experience. I have a hundred feelings now.” But who exactly Valentin Vacherot? Tennis walks deep in his family. Born in 1998, he started playing at a young age and continued to play college tennis for Texas A&M University. Changing a professional by 2022, he was trained by his brother Benjamin Balleret, who himself was the son of a former Bernard Balleret player and Alexia Dechaume-Balleret. Tennis talent is clearly in the family, as Vacherot cousin Arthur Rinderknech is also a former pre-book of the US Open. Vacherot was the first to win the ATP Challenger title in Nonthaburi in 2022. He made his big debut last year at Roland Garros, became the first player of the Meegasque Tennis Federation to reach the main draw, despite losing in the first round to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Against Djokovic, Vacherot’s tranquility is shining. After Djokovic broke the opening game, Vacherot immediately broke. As Djokovic’s physical problems get worse in the seventh game, which requires medical and repeated treatment, Vacherot seizes this time, breaking again to take the first set with two aces. Despite the brief resistance from Djokovic in the second set, Vacherot holds his nerves to serve the game, denying Djokovic the opportunity for the fifth Shanghai Masters title.
This incredible victory disguises the arrival of Vacherot on the stage and marks the moment that determines a career for the young Mougasque, which travel from college tennis to surprise one of the biggest legends of the sport will be remembered for years to come.
