Valentin Vacherot: Lowest-Ranked Player to Defeat Novak Djokovic?
In a remarkable turn of events at the Shanghai Masters, Valentin Vacherot, ranked No. 204 in the ATP Rankings, defeated the legendary Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. This victory raises the question: is Vacherot the lowest-ranked player to defeat Djokovic?
Vacherot’s Journey to Victory
Prior to the tournament, Vacherot was an alternate in the qualifiers. However, he received a last-minute entry, and his performance was astonishing. Throughout the event, he achieved several upsets:
- Defeated 14th seed Alexander Bublik
- Overcame 20th seed Tomas Machac
- Beat 27th seed Tallon Griekspoor
- Stunned 10th seed Holger Rune in the quarter-finals
His semi-final match against Djokovic was a historic clash for the player from Monaco. Vacherot triumphed with a score of 6-3, 6-4, completing the match in one hour and 41 minutes under hot and humid conditions.
Ranking Considerations
Valentin Vacherot is now the third-lowest-ranked player to defeat Djokovic, following two other notable players:
List of Lowest-Ranked Players to Defeat Djokovic
| Rank | Name | Ranking at Time of Victory | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Filip Krajinovic | No. 319 | ATP 250 in Belgrade (2010) |
| 2 | Reilly Opelka | No. 293 | Brisbane International (2025) |
| 3 | Valentin Vacherot | No. 204 | Shanghai Masters (2023) |
| 4 | Daniel Gimeno-Traver | No. 178 | Barcelona Open |
Particularly noteworthy is that Vacherot holds the distinction of being the lowest-ranked player to defeat Djokovic at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament. Previously, that honor was held by Italian Luca Nardi, ranked No. 123 when he defeated Djokovic.
Conclusion
Valentin Vacherot’s victory over Novak Djokovic marks a significant milestone in his career and brings attention to his impressive abilities on the court. As he continues to compete, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching his progress, especially after this stunning upset at the Shanghai Masters.
