Novak Djokovic Loses to Marco Cecchinato, Fails to Reach 2018 French Open Semis

Novak Djokovic was dumped out of the 2018 French Open on Tuesday as he lost to unseeded Italian Marco Cecchinato 6-3, 7-6 (4), 1-6, 7-6 (11). 

The former champion lost the first two sets but fought back by winning the third and was a break up in the fourth.

However, Cecchinato broke back and went on to win a nail-biting tie-break to secure the biggest win of his career and set up a semi-final against Dominic Thiem.

Cecchinato got off to a great start, as he forced the first break to take a 3-1 lead. 

Djokovic looked to be struggling with a neck or shoulder problem, per Christopher Clarey at the New York Times:

The former French Open champion managed to respond and hold serve but could not break back as Cecchinato took the first set 6-3.

Djokovic then called a medical timeout for a neck problem, per Ben Rothenberg at the New York Times:

The treatment did not appear to help, as Cecchinato broke again when Djokovic hit a backhand long at the start of the second set. 

The Serbian looked to be in all sorts of trouble at a set and a break down and struggling with injury, but he found some form as he stormed back from 2-0 down to move 3-2 ahead. 

Both players received warnings for coaching as the tension increased, with Cecchinato staying with Djokovic and producing some winning drop shots.

The Italian saved a set point at 6-5 to force the tie-break, and both players produced some incredible tennis in it. However, it was Cecchinato who showed more composure to take it 7-4.

Stuart Fraser at The Times noted the size of the task facing Djokovic:

The two players traded breaks at the start of the third before Djokovic asserted his dominance by storming through the set and taking it 6-1.

Cecchinato engaged in a lengthy discussion with a match official ahead of the fourth set and was docked a point for his conduct, per Live Tennis:

The force was all with Djokovic now, and he broke early to surge ahead while his opponent seemed to lose his intensity completely. 

Tennis journalist Abigail Johnson explained how the tide had turned in Djokovic's favour:

Rain also briefly threatened in the fourth set, but it seemed to revive Cecchinato, who found his form again and broke back as Djokovic served for the set at 5-3.

Metro's George Bellshaw felt it was a poor service game from Djokovic:

Suddenly, Cecchinato was playing with the freedom and confidence he'd shown earlier in the match. He had a chance to break at 5-5, but Djokovic dug deep to held.

A dramatic tie-break followed as the Italian crept into a 3-0 lead only to see his opponent hit back. Cecchinato then won a stunning rally at 5-5 to secure a match point that was saved brilliantly by a Djokovic backhand crosscourt volley.

Tennis commentator David Law shared his enjoyment of the match:

Djokovic then earned his own set point with some excellent retrieval. He picked up a Cecchinato drop shot and then showed superb reactions at the net to put away the volley. 

Again, Cecchinato produced some excellent defensive tennis to stay in the set, yet he was also helped by some mistakes from Djokovic, which provoked agonised reactions from the 31-year-old. He let three set points slip through his fingers.  

Djokovic saved three match points, but another mistake cost him dearly as he netted a forehand with his opponent out of position. This time the Italian capitalised, as he finally claimed the tie-break 13-11.

Roland Garros showed the moment of victory and the celebrations that followed:

It was an incredible performance by the 25-year-old, who regained his composure just when it looked as though Djokovic would take it to a fifth set. The result will hurt Djokovic, who fought hard but made too many mistakes, while Cecchinato can look forward to a semi-final against Thiem on Friday.