SHANGHAI/WASHINGTON, October 9, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
Two days after 204th-ranked qualifier Valentin Vacherot became the first player representing Monaco to reach an ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal, the soft-spoken Monegasque made more history at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Thursday.
In a minute shy of three hours on Stadium Court at Qi Zhong Tennis Center, Vacherot earned the biggest win of his career over World No. 11 Holger Rune of Denmark, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, to secure his Top 100 debut on the PIF ATP Rankings next Monday. He also became the lowest-ranked player to reach an ATP Masters 1000 semifinal in series history.
First Qualifier to Semi-Finalist in Shanghai
Vacherot fights back to continue his dream run, defeating Rune 2-6 7-6 6-4 to enter Top 100 for the first time in his career!@val_vacherot #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/QZKcPOlZKh
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 9, 2025
The 26-year-old Vacherot, who has skyrocketed 112 spots to No. 92 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, has made the penultimate ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai a family affair this week. His cousin, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, is also a first-time quarterfinalist at the ATP Masters 1000 level and will attempt to join him when he plays his last eight match on Friday against No. 12 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.
For Vacherot, it’s been a week to remember. He’s now 6-1 versus the Top 50 this season, which has included victories over No. 17 Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, No. 23 Tomas Machac of Czechia, No. 31 Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands and Rune this tournament alone.
“I don’t know what to say. This is just unbelievable. I mean, the last win meant already so much to me. This one means even more,” Vacherot said during his on-court interview.
“It was tough not to think about it on match point, also breaking the Top 100. I know this is just a step, but I tried not to look at the rankings for this whole tournament. I had read that if I won, I would break the Top 100, but this is just unbelievable for me. I cannot wait for [the semifinal on Saturday]. … I’m just so happy and living the dream.”
Biggest win.
Biggest match.
Biggest moment of his career @val_vacherot #RolexShanghaiMasters
pic.twitter.com/rrnJhezvFn— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 9, 2025
Rune, 22, was attempting to reach his seventh ATP Masters 1000 semifinal and to become the youngest semifinalist in Shanghai since Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2019, as well as the first Scandinavian semifinalist in event history. However, Vacherot denied Rune, who showed signs of ailing at the end with cramping in his right upper leg – despite being outplayed statistically. Vacherot saved a couple of break points in the final game of the match before converting his second match point to secure the biggest victory of his career.
Although Rune secured 49 winners – including 12 aces – and won 73 percent (49 of 67) of his first-serve points, Vacherot held his own, both physically and mentally. He struck 33 winners – including seven aces – and won 50 percent (19 of 38) of his second-serve points. He saved seven of 10 break points he faced and broke Rune twice in four attempts. Vacherot outpointed his opponent 73-62.
In five of his seven matches in Shanghai (including twice in qualifying), Vacherot has rallied from a set down to win.
“Today I was shocked by how [Rune] was defending. Points that I would win against 90 per cent of the guys, for him it was just a random ball,” Vacherot said. “I felt like I was coming in and would have an easy volley. So the first set was pretty physical. My lungs were screaming a little bit, but that helped me a lot for the second set, because I just went off to change and it helped me to play a little bit more free.”
Emotional scenes for @val_vacherot #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/PKqLLe1p5k
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 9, 2025
On Saturday, Vacherot will face World No. 5 and fourth seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia, the highest-remaining seed left in the draw, who eliminated No. 44 Zizou Bergs of Belgium, 6-3, 7-5, in one hour and 50 minutes Thursday evening. It was his 43rd career victory in Shanghai.
The four-time Shanghai champion Djokovic needed three match points to reach a record-extending 80th ATP Masters 1000 semifinal – including his 10th in China’s biggest city. The Serbian great, who at 38 years and four months became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinalist in series history, is now the oldest ATP Masters 1000 semifinalist.
“Man, I gotta stop idolizing you”
Wholesome moments at the net as Nole gets past Bergs 6-3 7-5 for a 10th Shanghai SF!@DjokerNole #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/IGgU29zapW
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 9, 2025
Djokovic’s victory over Bergs, in which he fought through early problems with his left foot, improved his record to 10-1 in Shanghai quarterfinals and 26-0 versus players. Bergs fell to 0-3 versus Top-5 opponents.
Although Djokovic finished with just 11 winners to 16 unforced errors, he benefited from 40 unforced errors by Bergs. Djokovic won 80 percent (39 of 49) of his first-serve points, saved four of five break points, converted three of nine break-point chances and outpointed Bergs 72-59.
“I was just trying to stay alive to be honest on the court,” Djokovic said during his on-court interview. “My first encounter with Bergs. He’s a great guy. Obviously, a lot of firepower in his game. At times I just tried to play an extra ball in the court and make him miss the ball, and that’s what happened. I should have closed out the match at 5-4. He played a good game, again I was a little bit too passive.
“Very challenging conditions these days for all the players, and I was just trying to stay alive on the court. I’m glad to overcome this hurdle.”
Got away there, @DjokerNole #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/IKjmtaV01y
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 9, 2025
With a day off to recover before facing Vacherot, Djokovic finds himself just two wins away from a record-extending 41st ATP Masters 1000 title – and his first since winning the Rolex Paris Masters in 2023.
“Great for Monegasque tennis. I’m really glad for him,” Djokovic said. “Benjamin Balleret, his coach, I’ve known for many years. I trained with him being based in Monaco for the last 15 years. Amazing story for him. It’s really impressive what he’s being doing.”
Around the Qi Zhong Tennis Center
No. 3 seeds Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz of Germany advanced to the doubles semifinal round with a come-from-behind 6-7 (4), 7-5, 10-4 victory over Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and David Pel of the Netherlands in an hour and 54 minutes Thursday afternoon. The German duo outpointed their opponents 54-48.
Next, Krawietz and Puetz will face alternates Guido Andreozzi of Argentina and Manuel Guinard of France, who upset No. 2 seeds Harri Heliovaara of Finland and Henry Patten of Great Britain, 2-6, 6-4, 12-10.
Thursday’s Shanghai Masters results
Friday’s Shanghai Masters order of play
By the numbers
With Novak Djokovic‘s victory over Zizou Bergs, he’s now advanced to his 198th career tour-level semifinal, which is third most in the Open Era. He trails Jimmy Connors (239) and Roger Federer (211) on the all-time list.
“Quotable …”
“To be honest, I’m doing the same thing every day. One surprise is I didn’t have that much, let’s say, the butterflies in the stomach. I started to get them a little bit when I stepped on court because there was a lot of people. The crowd, it was a really fun energy, it was fun pressure. It wasn’t like actual pressure. I feel like the pressure is more on my opponents than me. It’s more me that’s not supposed to be here than those guys.
“I think this is helping me a lot. That’s why I get to play free. And of course it’s not easy because those guys are the best players in the world. Also I’m very surprised, yeah, to beat a few of those guys, days after days. I hope to just keep doing it.”
– Valentin Vacherot of Monaco, during his post-match news conference Thursday after defeating World No. 11 Holger Rune.
