NOVAK DJOKOVIC was stunned by the world No204 in emotional scenes at the Shanghai Masters.
And that saw Valentin Vacherot become the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 finalist EVER.
Djokovic, 38, is a four-time champion at the event in China – one level below the four Grand Slams.
But as he struggled physically – hobbling Djokovic underwent several treatments, massages and a medical time-out for his back as well as vomiting – he suffered the surprise exit.
Vacherot, 26, secured a 6-3 6-4 semi-final victory over the 24-time Grand Slam winner.
The Monegasque tennis ace was muted in his celebrations given Djokovic’s injury woes – and the Serbian showed his class at the net with a warm embrace and some lovely words.
But as the magnitude of his win sank in, his team could not contain their excitement.
Girlfriend Emily Snyder did a gesture then clenched her fist before her man took in the adulation of the crowd.
Incredibly, Vacherot was not even in the main draw or qualifying for the Shanghai Masters initially – but got in as an alternate due to a late withdrawal.
And in an even more bizarre twist of fate, he could face his COUSIN in the final.
That is because the other semi-final is between Daniil Medvedev and Vacherot’s relative Arthur Rinderknech, who plays under the French flag.
Vacherot wrote a supportive message for Rinderknech on the TV camera lens before speaking to the crowd.
The 6ft 4ins star – whose career-high is No110 but he could jump 146 places to 58th when the rankings are updated – said after the best win of his career: “I’m trying to pinch myself, is this real?
“I’m not realising [what’s happened], so I can’t give any words on it.
“This is just crazy. First of all, to just be on the other side of the court [from Novak] was an unbelievable experience.
“It was an hour and 40 minutes of pure joy, even though not many people wanted me to keep going.
“He’s really appreciated here. He has won four times. I got a bit lost in all his titles when they were announcing him, but it was an unreal experience.
“Now I’m probably just going to enjoy the win tonight and think about the final tomorrow.”
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