Novak Djokovic, who recently turned 38, ended his run at the Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai after losing in the semifinal to Valentín Vachero from Monaco. The Serbian athlete, currently ranked fifth in the world, was unable to overcome the physical difficulties that had plagued him throughout the week.
The match ended 6-3, 6-4 in favor of Vachero, who is ranked 204th in the ATP rankings. During the match, Djokovic struggled with noticeable back problems that significantly limited his movement on the court. These challenges proved decisive and affected the outcome of the match.
In the first set, Djokovic stayed level until 3-3 but then was forced to seek medical assistance. After that, his movements became restricted, and his expressions and gestures revealed clear discomfort. At that point, Vachero took advantage, broke serve, and confidently closed out the set, despite Djokovic’s attempts to keep fighting.
The second set turned into a real test for the Serbian. He managed to win the opening game thanks to his strong serve and determination, but Vachero continued to extend the rallies, forcing Djokovic to expend more energy. Some improvement allowed Djokovic to take a 2-1 lead, but his opponent stayed focused, waiting for his opportunity.
The key moment came in the ninth game, which lasted nearly seven minutes. Djokovic committed two consecutive double faults, which Vachero capitalized on, converting a break point to take the lead. The Serbian player noticeably delayed his serve, trying to catch his breath, and frequently expressed frustration after losing points. In the final game, the Monacans confidently served for the match, sealing the victory with a powerful serve clocked at over 200 km/h.
This victory is historic for Vachero: he will play in the final of a tournament at this level for the first time, and his current ranking makes this achievement especially significant. Djokovic, despite the defeat, showed resilience, but physical limitations prevented him from continuing his fight for the title.
