French Open: Thiem moves on but Djokovic crashes out

Dominic Thiem made it three consecutive semi-final qualifications on Tuesday as he dispatched an injured Alex Zverev 6-4 6-2 6-1 in one hour and 47 minutes. But former World No.1, Novak Djokovic was sent crashing by unseeded Italian, Marco Cecchinato, in four sets 6-3 7-6 1-6 7-6.

Thiem became the first Austrian to make three semi-finals of a Grand Slam and revealed in the post-match interview he is hoping to take the next step.

“The third time in semi-finals it sounds amazing. When I was young or a junior I never expected this but I think when I reach for the third time it’s time for more and I will give everything to make one more step this year. ”

Cecchinato ranked No.72 in the world had never won a Grand Slam match prior to landing at Roland Garros in 2018 but is now through to the semi-finals where he will face Thiem, whom he beat in 2013 on the Challenger Circuit.

“I won the last match against Thiem, I think, I remember this match, it was the final in one Future” – though he conveniently forgot to mention that he lost to Thiem in 2014.

Cecchinato continued: “Why not? I want to believe I can also beat Dominic Thiem.”

But for Djokovic, he stands at a quandary. At the post-match conference, he spoke sparingly and almost in shock. “I don’t know – I’m just not thinking about tennis at the moment,” he answered after he was asked what his next action would be.

There are two quarterfinal matches today – hot favourite, Rafael Nadal is up against the dynamic Diego Schwartzman and the fourth quarter-final is between two big hitters in Marin Cilic and Juan Martin Del Potro.

In the women’s draw, two Americans – Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens – are through and will meet in the first semi-final – a rematch of the 2017 US Open, which Stephens won.