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 seedThiem 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 lOOth-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 1 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.