History in Shanghai: World number 204 Valentin Vacherot defeats Novak Djokovic to reach Shanghai Masters final

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has been on the receiving end of a seismic shock in the Shanghai Masters, losing to world number 204 Valentin Vacherot, who has reached his maiden ATP final. He defeated the Serbian 6-3, 6-4.

This incredible achievement has put him in the record books, with him becoming the lowest ranked player to reach a Masters 1000 final. Before this he had only competed in one Grand Slam, and three Masters 1000 events all coming in Monaco, his home nation, where he picked up just one measly win.

In Shanghai, he has come through qualifying before dumping out Laslo Djere, Alexander Bublik, Tomas Mahac, Tallon Griekspoor, Holger Rune, and the cream of the crop: Djokovic. He will patiently await his finalist, with it either being Daniil Medvedev or his cousin Arthur Rinderknech, who has also had a dream run in China.

It looked ominous early on when Djokovic broke the Monegasque's serve. However, the 26-year-old replied in the perfect fashion as he broke straight back to level proceedings. At 3-3, Vacherot went on to win a trio of games while dropping just one point to clinch the first set. Djokovic had been struggling with lower back pains, and twice in the first set had to call the physio for attention.

Vacherot came flying out of the blocks in the premature stages of the second set, creating two break point opportunities but was unable to take them. The match routinely went on serve until the score was level at 4-4, when Vacherot took a crucial break point, allowing him to serve out the match. The 38-year-old had one chance to level affairs but blew it with his opponent going on to claim his second match point and win the biggest game of his life.

There was a gap of 199 ranking places between them at the start of the event, showcasing how big this upset was. While Djokovic was struggling with physical issues in his back and left hip, he looked a lot more comfortable in the second set but was just unable to shake off Vacheort.

Vacherot has now risen inside the top 100 for the first time in his career, with his previous best being 110th in the world back in July of last year. With this victory, he sits 58th in the world. Triumph in tomorrow's final would see his move up another 19 places to 39th in the world.