World number 72 sends Novak Djokovic out of French Open

Novak Djokovic was sent spinning out of the French Open by world number 72 Marco Cecchinato.

The 12-time grand slam winner needed lengthy treatment on a neck problem after dropping the first set. But Cecchinato proved an even bigger pain in the neck for the 2016 Paris champion.

Djokovic had two set points at 6-5 in the second but went on to lose a tie-break.

Italian Cecchinato was mixing things up to great effect, tying Djokovic to the baseline while throwing in regular, at times remarkable, spin-heavy drop-shots from the back of the court.

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

Djokovic somehow regrouped to win the third set at a canter, and a suddenly frustrated Cecchinato was hit with a point penalty.

The storm seemed to have blown itself out and Djokovic served for the set at 5-3. But from somewhere Cecchinato got a second wind and took the fourth in a thrilling tie-break, converting a fourth match point to win 6-3 7-6 (7/4) 1-6 7/6 (13-11).

Cecchinato had not won a single grand slam match until he arrived at Roland Garros, but the 25-year-old is now the first Italian to reach the Paris semi-final since Corrado Barazzutti 40 years ago.

He said on courtside: "Maybe I'm sleeping. It's amazing. It's unbelievable for me. For me to beat Djokovic in a quarter-final at Roland Garros, it's amazing.

"For me, it's the first time semi-final grand slam. Now I need to think for the semi-final and I need some rest for recovery. I am very happy."