The Monegasque Valentin Vacherot continues to cause a sensation at the ATP Masters in Shanghai. As a qualifier, he is already in the semi-finals.
The qualifier reached the semi-finals in the Chinese metropolis on Thursday with a 2:6, 7:6 (7:4), 6:4 against the Dane Holger Rune – and that as number 204 in the world rankings.
Only the American Chris Woodruff (550) in Indian Wells 1999 was placed worse when making it to the final four at a Masters.
“Live my dream”
“It’s just unbelievable. The last victory meant so much to me. This one means even more to me,” said Vacherot: “I’m just so happy and I’m living my dream.” Vacherot, who will face Grand Slam record champion Novak Djokovic (Serbia) or the Belgian Zizou Bergs in the semi-finals, will move into the top 100 for the first time thanks to his success.
Curious: His French cousin Arthur Rinderknech, who defeated Alexander Zverev in the third round, is also still in the tournament in Shanghai. “Our family WhatsApp group has been very active in the last few days,” said Rinderknech, who sat in the Vacherot box on Thursday and will face Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals.