Djokovic vs. Vacherot: Historic Semifinal Clash Set for Rolex Shanghai Masters 2025
The stage is set for a fascinating semifinal showdown at the Rolex Shanghai Masters 2025, where Novak Djokovic of Serbia will face Monaco’s qualifier Valentin Vacherot. The two will meet on Stadium Court tomorrow (October 11), with play scheduled to start not before 4:30 PM local time.
This encounter not only pits one of the greatest players in tennis history against a rising underdog but also represents a clash of eras and experiences—an ATP Masters 1000 legend versus a history-making debutant.
Djokovic Continues to Redefine Longevity
At 38 years and four months old, Novak Djokovic continues to defy age and logic. By reaching the Shanghai semifinals, he has achieved his record-breaking 80th ATP Masters 1000 semifinal, the most in history. The Serbian superstar also became the oldest semifinalist ever at this level, surpassing the record he himself set earlier this year at the 2025 Miami Open.
This week in Shanghai has been another chapter in Djokovic’s enduring excellence. Earlier in the tournament, his second-round match against Marin Čilić made history as the oldest ATP Masters 1000 singles match ever played, with a combined age of 75 years and 139 days between the two veterans.
Statistically, Djokovic’s numbers remain staggering. Currently ranked No. 5 in the world, the 24-time Grand Slam champion holds a 31–10 win-loss record for the 2025 season, including one title. Across his career, he boasts 1,155 wins to just 232 losses, with 100 career titles—a milestone that few players in the Open Era have ever reached.
Djokovic, who turned professional in 2003, has earned an astonishing $190,194,053 in career prize money, underscoring his dominance and longevity. At 6’2″ (188 cm) and weighing 170 lbs (77 kg), his physical conditioning remains elite, and his trademark two-handed backhand continues to be one of the most efficient and consistent shots in the game.
Vacherot’s Cinderella Run Continues
On the other side of the net, Valentin Vacherot’s run in Shanghai has been nothing short of miraculous. Ranked No. 204, the 26-year-old Monégasque qualifier has rewritten his nation’s tennis history over the past week. Vacherot became the first player from Monaco ever to reach both an ATP Tour-level quarterfinal and semifinal—a milestone that cements his place in his country’s sporting legacy.
Even more impressively, Vacherot is the lowest-ranked quarterfinalist and semifinalist in the history of the Shanghai Masters, which has been held since 2009. He is also the second lowest-ranked Masters 1000 semifinalist overall (since the format began in 1990), trailing only Chris Woodruff, who reached the 1999 Indian Wells semifinals ranked No. 203.
This remarkable breakthrough comes after years of steady progress on the ITF and Challenger circuits. Vacherot, who plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand, stands 6’4″ (193 cm) tall and weighs 184 lbs (83 kg)—giving him a strong physical presence on court. His current year-to-date record of 6–2 shows that even limited opportunities at the tour level can yield major results when seized with confidence.
Vacherot turned professional only a few years ago and has earned $594,077 in career prize money, a figure that will significantly increase after this run. For the Monégasque tennis federation, his success represents a historic moment and a potential spark for the next generation of players.
First Meeting, Generational Contrast
This semifinal marks the first-ever meeting between Djokovic and Vacherot. The contrast could not be greater: Djokovic’s wealth of experience, mental toughness, and record-breaking achievements against Vacherot’s youthful energy and underdog spirit.
While Djokovic will enter as the overwhelming favorite, the unpredictable nature of tennis—combined with the pressure-free mindset of Vacherot—sets the stage for an intriguing battle. For Djokovic, another Masters final would add yet another chapter to his unparalleled career. For Vacherot, even standing across the net from Djokovic in a Masters semifinal is already the fulfillment of a dream.
Match Details
- Tournament: Rolex Shanghai Masters 2025
- Round: Semifinal
- Date: October 11, 2025
- Venue: Stadium Court
- Start Time: Not Before 4:30 PM local time
- Head-to-Head: First meeting
This semifinal embodies two different tennis worlds colliding—one defined by history and mastery, the other by breakthrough and belief. Whether it becomes another Djokovic milestone or the next chapter in Vacherot’s fairy tale, fans in Shanghai are guaranteed a match to remember.
