Djokovic and Medvedev both caused major upsets! The Shanghai Masters final turns into a showdown between cousins!

A genuine dark horse, unstoppable all the way!

This year, Shanghai’s unique atmosphere has truly nurtured the emergence of a legendary match!

In the two semifinals concluded today at the Shanghai Masters, both Grand Slam champions, former world number ones, and previous tournament champions Djokovic and Medvedev, despite their utmost efforts, were unable to stop the cousins from reaching the final.

In an earlier completed match, Djokovic enjoyed the advantage of playing on half his home turf. Though his path to the semifinals was shaky, the veteran held on without withdrawing. However, his performance today left much to be desired. His opponent, Monaco’s Vacherot, after tonight’s match, is sure to have his name remembered by tennis fans worldwide.

After defeating one of the greatest players in history, the Monegasque became the lowest-ranked player ever to reach a Masters final. Considering that his predecessor, Coric, went on to win the Cincinnati Masters, high hopes can be placed on Vacherot as well.

Djokovic gave it his all—medical timeouts, kneeling on both legs, splashing cold water on his face—but for this seasoned player, there’s little more to expect.

Just look at Vacherot’s calm expression after his victory, and you’ll realize that this previously unknown player may have a bright future ahead. Before the Shanghai Masters, he was an obscure competitor; by now, his earnings from this tournament alone have already surpassed his entire career prize money.

In the second semifinal, fans who care about the quality of the finalists hoped Medvedev would not slip up. The Russian did take the first set and gained the upper hand, but his prior consecutive matches had severely drained his stamina.

Statistics on long rallies in this tournament showed Medvedev frequently ranking near the top, which, due to the extended playtime, seriously hampered his performance. Ultimately, Lindgren took control in the last two sets and clinched victory on his second match point.

After every match in this tournament, Medvedev repeatedly expressed his affection for Shanghai. We once believed that this former world number one, who has gone over two years without a title, might finally break through here. Unfortunately, fate was not on his side, and even the net cord failed to assist him at crucial moments.

The final will be an internal battle between two cousins. Though they represent different countries, in the end, their family emerges victorious! They have set the record as the two lowest-ranked players ever to reach a Masters final, and whichever wins will make history in the Masters.

This year in Shanghai, with the absence of Alcaraz, Sinner’s injury withdrawal, and top stars like Djokovic and Medvedev faltering, lower-ranked players seized the opportunity to create what may be the most surprising Masters tournament since its inception!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Luo Cheng Qiye)