Shanghai Semis Schedule: Djokovic vs. Vacherot, Medvedev vs. Rinderknech
The 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters, the only ATP Masters 1000 tournament held outside of North America and Europe, has reached its highly anticipated semifinal stage, setting the scene for a thrilling day of elite tennis on Saturday, October 11. Held at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, the tournament—which boasts a total prize money of US $9,193,538 and 1000 ranking points for the singles champion—has seen its share of powerhouse victories and breakout stories.
The official Order of Play for Stadium Court features a mix of tennis royalty and surprising newcomers, promising a captivating series of matches that will decide who advances to the final. For the players who have reached this stage, a singles semifinal loss is still worth 400 valuable ATP ranking points and a substantial US $332,160 in prize money, while the winning doubles team will split $457,150.
The Day Session Opener: Doubles Semifinal Battle
The action on Stadium Court commences at 2:00 PM local time with the doubles semifinal. The No. 3 seeds, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz of Germany, will take on the unseeded, alternate pairing of Guido Andreozzi (Argentina) and Manuel Guinard (France).
Krawietz and Puetz, a formidable German duo, have consistently been a top team on the ATP Tour, with Krawietz being a two-time French Open champion with a different partner. They are known for their complementary styles, blending Krawietz’s exceptional net play with Puetz’s big serve and power from the baseline. Their opponents, Andreozzi and Guinard, entered the tournament as alternates and have since forged a surprise run to the final four, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of Masters 1000 doubles. The two teams will battle for a coveted spot in the final, with the established seeds facing a dangerous, unheralded pair.
A Champion’s Challenge: Djokovic vs. The Qualifier Sensation
The second match of the day session, scheduled for Not Before 4:30 PM, pits a true legend of the sport against the tournament’s most improbable success story: No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic (Serbia) versus qualifier Valentin Vacherot (Monaco).
Novak Djokovic (SRB)
The 38-year-old Serbian superstar is a four-time Shanghai champion (2012, 2013, 2015, 2018) and holds the record for most match wins at the event, with an impressive 39-6 record coming into the 2025 tournament. Djokovic is a relentless competitor and a master of the hard courts. Despite battling some visible discomfort during the tournament, he has found ways to outlast his opponents, showcasing his trademark mental and physical toughness. His longevity and focus remain unmatched as he chases a record-extending Masters 1000 title.
Valentin Vacherot (MON)
Valentin Vacherot has become the headline story of the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters. Ranked outside the Top 200 at the start of the event (No. 204), the 26-year-old Monegasque sensation entered the tournament as an alternate and fought his way through the qualifying rounds and the main draw. His stunning victory over No. 10 seed Holger Rune in the quarterfinals, where he saved two match points, cemented his status as a major surprise. Vacherot is the first player from Monaco to reach a tour-level semifinal and is guaranteed to make his Top-100 debut next Monday. The semifinals mark the first-ever meeting between Djokovic and Vacherot (H2H: 0-0), making it a clash between a tennis titan and a player with absolutely nothing to lose. The qualifier’s fearless baseline play and superb serving have been key to his deep run, but he will face the ultimate physical and mental test against the former World No. 1.
The Marquee Night Match: Medvedev vs. Rinderknech
The evening session, starting Not Before 7:00 PM, features a highly anticipated clash between two big servers: 2019 champion and No. 16 seed Daniil Medvedev (Russia) against unseeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.
Daniil Medvedev (RUS)
The 29-year-old Russian is a former World No. 1 and champion of this tournament in 2019. Medvedev leads the ATP Tour in hard-court wins since 2018 and has an impressive 10-4 career record in Shanghai. Known for his deep returning position and flat, penetrating groundstrokes, he has navigated a tricky path to reach his first Shanghai semifinal since his title run. He comes into the match after a professional performance in the quarterfinals against Alex de Minaur, showcasing his ability to grind out wins.
Arthur Rinderknech (FRA)
Arthur Rinderknech, currently ranked No. 54, is also having a career-defining week. The 30-year-old Frenchman is set to play his maiden Masters 1000 semifinal and is riding a wave of confidence. Rinderknech has compiled an excellent run, defeating No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev and No. 12 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, the latter without facing a single break point. Remarkably, Rinderknech is the cousin of fellow semifinalist Valentin Vacherot, setting up the incredible possibility of an all-cousin final. This is the second-ever meeting between the two, with Medvedev leading the head-to-head 1-0, having defeated Rinderknech at the 2022 US Open. The powerful all-court game of Rinderknech will clash with the tactical defense of Medvedev in what promises to be a battle of contrasting styles.
Final Thoughts on the Semifinals
The Order of Play for Saturday, October 11, presents a dynamic mix of experience and underdog spirit. The matches on Stadium Court will not only determine the finalists of the prestigious Rolex Shanghai Masters but will also have significant implications for the late-season ATP Finals race and the year-end rankings. The Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena is set for a day of high-stakes, unforgettable tennis.
