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SHANGHAI: An ailing Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters semifinals on Saturday by world number 204 Valentin Vacherot.
The 26-year-old qualifier from Monaco beat Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 to deny him a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai.
A hobbling Djokovic, 38, threw up courtside and received medical treatment multiple times.
Vacherot will face either his cousin, the unseeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, or Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final.
“I’m trying to pinch myself, is this real,” said Vacherot after the biggest win of his career.
“I know not many of you guys wanted me to win,” he told the crowd, who had cheered thunderously for 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.
“To have Novak on the other side of the court was first of all an invaluable experience for me.
“I have a hundred feelings right now.”
Djokovic, the former world number one, said Vacherot’s unlikely run in the tournament was “an amazing story.”
Vacherot is the lowest-ranked player to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final since the format’s introduction in 1990.
“I told him at the net that he’s had an amazing tournament, but more so his attitude is very good...so it’s all about him,” said Djokovic.
“I wish him all the best in the finals and the better player won today.”
Health issues
Djokovic declined to answer questions about his physical state.
He had said after his last match that he was concerned after battling vomiting bouts, leg injury scares and fatigue throughout the tournament.
However, he looked alert and seemed to be having a dream start when he broke in the first game.
But the satisfaction was short-lived as Vacherot broke back instantly.
The Serb began having issues in his left leg at the start of the seventh game, stopping to stretch multiple times and dropping to the ground at one point.
He had to take an extended medical break, lying on his stomach shirtless as a physio attended to his back.
He got up but was still uncomfortable, hitting a ball against the wall in frustration after having to shake his leg out again.
With Djokovic clearly unable to move normally, Vacherot had an easy time breaking again in the eighth game, then fired two aces to hold the ninth and claim the set.
Djokovic received treatment again at the break, but was clearly still struggling in the second set.
In temperatures of 31°C and humidity levels of 62 percent, Djokovic managed to hold the first game despite facing breakpoint twice and falling to the ground again.
Serving in the ninth game he hit two double-faults in quick succession before recovering, only to ultimately be broken upon committing another.
Despite a last-gasp effort from Djokovic, Vacherot held serve and his nerve to seal victory.

LOS ANGELES: The Las Vegas Aces, powered by 31 points from A’ja Wilson, captured their third title in four seasons on Friday, beating Phoenix 97-86 to complete a sweep of the WNBA Finals.

Wilson went 7-of-21 from the floor but 17-of-19 from the free throw line and added nine rebounds, four assists, three blocked shots and two steals as the visiting Aces took the best-of-seven championship series 4-0.

“We understood the assignment and what was in front of us,” Wilson said. “All we had to do was believe in one another and you see that. We’re grateful. We’re blessed. I wouldn’t do it with any other group.”

Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young each added 18 points, Young also contributing eight assists and seven rebounds, and Jewell Loyd had 12 points on 4-of-8 three-point shooting for the Aces.

The only other team to win so many crowns in so short a span was the Houston Comets, who took the first four WNBA titles from 1997-2000.

“We shed tears over this team because we care so much,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “They kept at it, kept on it... they were just going to give until the wheels came off.”

Wilson, a 29-year-old American center, captured her third career title, all with Las Vegas, and became the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win a scoring title, Defensive Player of the Year award, season Most Valuable Player award and finals MVP trophy in the same season.

“For us to be able to celebrate this is truly special,” Wilson said. “I wish I could take this credit but it’s God working.”

Wilson is a four-time WNBA MVP, three-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and two-time Olympic champion with the United States.

“We’ve got the best plyer in the world in A’ja Wilson,” Gray said after her fourth career WNBA title. “This team has been through hell and back. What a run. Everyone stepped up.

“We’re champions baby.”

Loyd, an American guard, also captured her third WNBA title, having won two with Seattle before joining the Aces this season.

Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 30 points while Alyssa Thomas had a triple double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Wilson, who scored the winning basket with 0.3 of a second remaining for a 90-88 Aces triumph in game three, dominated early in game four.

‘Hit early and often’

Wilson scored 12 points in the first quarter, sparking the Aces to a 30-21 lead by shooting 4-of-8 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the free throw line.

“That was aggressive,” Hammon said. “We want her to hit early and often.”

Las Vegas opened the second quarter with a 12-2 run for a 42-23 edge and never looked back, the Aces pulling ahead 54-38 at halftime by dominating the Mercury with a solid zone defensive scheme.

The Aces shot 9-of-17 from three-point range in the first half, matching their WNBA Finals record for three-pointers in a half from game three. Loyd led the way with three three-pointers.

Thomas collided with Loyd with 9.2 seconds to go in the second quarter and fell to the court with a right shoulder injury, but she returned for the second half.

Loyd’s offensive foul on the play was the only Aces turnover of the first half. Las Vegas scored 15 first-half points off nine Mercury turnovers.

The Aces stretched the lead as high as 58-38 before Phoenix rallied within 66-54 with 3:41 remaining in the third quarter.

Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected one minute later after arguing a foul call and the Aces surged ahead 76-62 entering the fourth quarter.

Phoenix opened the fourth with a 8-0 run to close within 76-70, but Las Vegas answered with a 6-0 run and the Mercury never got within six again.