Novak Djokovic’s Shanghai Semifinal Opponent Reminds the Serb of ‘This’ ATP Ace: “He’s Got a Great Potential”

Novak Djokovic has reached the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters for the 11th time in his career. On October 11, he will be clashing with Valentin Vacherot, the qualifier, who entered the tournament as an alternate.

But Vacherot, en route to setting up the clash with a 24-time Grand Slam champion, knocked out four seeded players, including Holger Rune in the quarterfinals, to reach the semifinals of a Masters 1000 for the first time in his career.

Although Djokovic will be facing the Monegasque for the first time in his career, the Serb knows Vacherot’s half-brother and coach, Benjamin Balleret, while training at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. The 26-year-old reminds Djokovic of another tennis ace – Arthur Rinderknech.

He’s been improving a lot. We always knew that he’s got a great potential, with a big serve, a big game, he’s a big guy. He kind of plays quite similar to Rinderknech [Vacherot’s cousin], you know. And I see that they’re quite close. The serve particularly reminds me of Arthur as well. So it’s great to see that chemistry between them, that they’re supporting each other. Arthur was there the whole match. Yeah, historic success for him and, yeah, I’m looking forward to play him.

Novak Djokovic said at the press conference

Djokovic is the tournament’s most successful player, having won four times, last lifting it in 2018. Last year, he fell in straight sets against World No.2 Jannik Sinner in the final.

The Serb is chasing his second title of the season following the Geneva Open, where he clinched his career’s 100th ATP singles title by beating Hubert Hurkacz, becoming only the third man in the Open Era to reach the 100-title tally.

Djokovic also played the final of the Miami Open, losing the match to Jakub Mensik. The last Masters 1000 that he lifted was the 2023 Paris Masters, while last year’s Paris Olympics gold medal was the last Big Title he clinched.

Daniil Medvedev makes a comment on Novak Djokovic’s semifinal opponent, Valentin Vacherot

Daniil Medvedev is into the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters after a straight-set win over Alex de Minaur. His next-round opponent is Arthur Rinderknech, who went past Felix Auger-Aliassime. During his on-court interview, the Russian ace cited Jannik Sinner and Valentin Vacherot’s examples and said anything can happen in tennis.

No, I don’t care. In tennis, it doesn’t matter. As we see with Valentin Vacherot, in one day, you can lose to anyone and you can beat anyone. So, of course, when you play against Sinner or [Carlos] Alcaraz, they are the favorites. But look, Sinner lost here. Yes, he retired, but he lost. It happens. It’s rarer for him than for others, but it happens to everyone. So it doesn’t matter who the favorite is.

Sinner, the defending champion, withdrew from the tournament because of cramps, handing the walkover to Tallon Griekspoor in the third round. If Medvedev beats Rinderknech, he could face Novak Djokovic in the final.

In the head-to-head matchups, Djokovic holds a 10-5 head-to-head lead over Medvedev. But the last time they faced each other was in the final of the 2023 US Open, which the 38-year-old won (the last time he clinched a Grand Slam title).

While the 24-time Grand Slam champion has clinched a record 40 Masters 1000 titles, Medvedev’s tally is six from 10 finals. The 2021 US Open champion is searching for his first title since winning his career’s first clay-court title at the 2023 Italian Open.

Since then, he lost six finals, including this year’s Halle Open to Alexander Bublik. While the Shanghai Open is Djokovic’s first tournament since his US Open exit, Medvedev played the China Open before entering Shanghai.

Also read: Jessica Pegula Reacts to the Humid Conditions Players Are Struggling With at the Wuhan Open

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