In a major shocker, tennis ace Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the French Open 2018 on Tuesday by world number 72 Marco Cecchinato who became the first Italian man in 40 years to reach a Grand Slam semi-final with a breathtaking 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 1-6, 7-6 (13/11) epic victory.
All class from Djokovic in one of the best matches this tournament!#RG18 pic.twitter.com/kP4cfih7d1
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2018
Cecchinato, who had never won a Grand Slam match in his career before Roland Garros, goes on to face Austrian seventh seed Dominic Thiem for a place in Sunday’s final.
Giant Killer!
Marco Cecchinato takes out former champion Djokovic in a blockbuster match 6-3 7-6(4) 1-6 7-6(11).#RG18 pic.twitter.com/lNCX6BPves
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2018
In an epic fourth set tiebreaker, Djokovic saved three match points but wasted three set points as Cecchinato became the lowest-ranked man in the semi-finals in Paris since 100th-ranked Andrei Medvedev in 1999.
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In a roller-coaster of a quarter-final, both men were warned for coaching, 2016 champion Djokovic required two medical timeouts and the Italian was docked a point for unsportsmanlike behaviour.
Djokovic also squandered three set points in the second set and failed to serve out the fourth in the ninth game after being 5-2 in front.