Novak Djokovic has reached the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters for the 11th time in his career. On October 11, he will be clashing with Valentin Vacherot , the qualifier, who entered the tournament as an alternate.

But Vacherot, en route to setting up the clash with a 24-time Grand Slam champion, knocked out four seeded players, including Holger Rune in the quarterfinals, to reach the semifinals of a Masters 1000 for the first time in his career.

Although Djokovic will be facing the Monegasque for the first time in his career, the Serb knows Vacherot’s half-brother and coach, Benjamin Balleret , while training at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. The 26-year-old reminds Djokovic of another tennis ace – Arthur Rinderknech .

He’s been improving a lot. We always knew that he’s got a

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