World No 204 Valentin Vacherot stuns Novak Djokovic to reach Shanghai Masters final

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The world No 204 Valentin Vacherot has stunned Novak Djokovic to reach the Shangai Masters final.

The 26-year-old Monegasque triumphed 6-3, 6-4 to knock out Djokovic and record the result of his career so far, extending a remarkable run in China which could yet see him meet his cousin, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, in the final.

Rinderknech was next on court against Daniil Medvedev, and Vacherot signed a camera with “allez Arthur” as he departed.

Vacherot’s journey to the final has been extraordinary after spending half the season out injured. “I didn’t even come as a qualifier, I came as an alternate,” he explained this week. “I wasn’t sure to even play the qualifier. Coming back from six months out is always not easy. You cannot just come back and win tournaments right and left. You’ve just got to fight your way through a little bit.”

more to follow…