Novak stunned by Cecchinato

World number 72 Marco Cecchinato stunned Novak Djokovic in a French Open classic on Tuesday to set up a semifinal clash against Dominic Thiem, with Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys to meet in the women's last four.

Cecchinato is the first Italian man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal since 1978 after his thrilling 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 1-6, 7-6 (13/11) victory over the 12-time major champion.

The 25-year-old, who had never won a Grand Slam match in his career before Roland Garros, goes on to face Austrian seventh seed Thiem for a place in Sunday's final.

In an epic fourth-set tie-break, Djokovic saved three match points but wasted three set points as Cecchinato became the lowest-ranked man to make the last four in Paris since 100th-ranked Andrei Medvedev in 1999.

Djokovic had 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.

In an extraordinary post-match press conference, Djokovic then said he may even skip Wimbledon where he has been champion three times.

"I don't know if I am going to play on grass," said the Serb. "I'm just not thinking about tennis at the moment."

Cecchinato struggled to comprehend his triumph, coming just two years after his career was almost derailed when he became embroiled in match-fixing allegations.

"Maybe I'm sleeping. It's amazing, it's unbelievable for me. I'm very happy because it's unbelievable to beat Novak Djokovic in a quarter-final at Roland Garros. It's amazing," he said.

Thiem reached his third successive French Open semi-final with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 demolition of a hobbled and exhausted Alexander Zverev who admitted he was close to quitting the tie.

In the women's draw, US Open champion Stephens brushed aside Russian Daria Kasatkina to set up a repeat of last year's Flushing Meadows final with fellow American and good friend Keys.