Novak Djokovic to face former match-fixer in French Open quarterfinals
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates his win over Spain's Fernando Verdasco at the French Open.
Two years after being found guilty of match-fixing, unheralded Italian Marco Cecchinato will stare down Novak Djokovic on one of tennis's grandest stages after continuing his unlikely French Open run.
Cecchinato, ranked 72nd in the world, ground down Belgian seventh seed David Goffin 7-5 4-6 6-0 6-3 to qualify for his first grand slam quarterfinal in Paris.
The 25-year-old's victory follows his third-round elimination of US Open semifinalist Pablo Carreno Busta after he only passed the opening round 10-8 in the fifth against Marius Copil.
"It's a dream. I'm really, really happy. It's unbelievable," Cecchinato said.
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The Sicilian had never previously progressed beyond the first round at a slam and might never had received another chance had the Italian Olympic Committee not overturned an 18-month ban because of irregularities regarding how match-fixing evidence against him was gathered.
Italy's Marco Cecchinato celebrates winning his fourth round match against Belgium's David Goffin in four sets.
While familiar with the Serb, Cecchinato will be playing Djokovic for the first time after the revitalised former champion charged into a record 12th quarterfinal in Paris with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 fourth-round dispatch of Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco.
Seeded 20th after a well-documented slump, Djokovic won't be taking Cecchinato lightly.
"I have known of him for many years. I have practiced with him many times in Monte Carlo," Djokovic said.
"He trained a lot where I reside, where I live. We trained a lot on hard court, clay courts and we actually trained this year. I know now his game.
"For sure, he's playing the tennis of his life. He won his first title recently. Today, yes, Goffin was probably tired a little bit from the match with Monfils, but still, to pull out a big upset for Marco is quite impressive."
Novak Djokovic plays a forehand during his win against Fernando Verdasco at Roland Garros.
Djokovic doesn't seem to hold Roland Garros officials in such high regard, the superstar former world No.1 not happy about the slippery state of the centre court that 10-times champion Rafael Nadal has also complained about.
"It was a very warm day and after the first set they decided not to water the court, which I thought it was not the right decision. That's all," Djokovic said.
"I just questioned the decision from the chair umpire, actually, that he's listening to the grounds people.
"What I don't like is that there is no participation of the players. We are the ones who are playing and sliding and not sliding, so we can give them the most important feedback. But it doesn't seem like they care too much about our opinion, and that's something I don't like."
Alexander Zverev lines up a serve at the French Open.
Second-seeded Alexander Zverev reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal the hard way, beating Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 for his third straight comeback win in five sets at the tournament.
He will meet seventh-seed Dominic Thiem, who has played three straight four-setters, including beating Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-2, 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 on Court Philippe Chatrier on Monday.
Austria's Dominic Thiem plays a forehand on his way to beating Kei Nishikori of Japan.
In women's play, 13th-seeded American Madison Keys reached the quarterfinals for the first time at Roland Garros after beating No. 31 Mihaela Buzarnescu of Romania 6-1, 6-4 on Chatrier.
Madison Keys waves to her fans after defeating Romania's Mihaela Buzarnescu.
Keys next faces unseeded Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan, who beat 26th-seeded Czech Barbora Strycova 6-4, 6-3.
If she wins that match, Keys could meet compatriot Sloane Stephens in the semifinals.
Sloane Stephens plays a backhand against Anett Kontaveit at the French Open.
Stephens, the 10th-seed, also reached the last eight in Paris for the first time, beating No. 25 Anett Kontaveit of Estonia 6-2, 6-0.
Stephens next plays either Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki - seeded second - or 14th-seeded Russian Daria Kasatkina. Their match was suspended for bad light with the second set tied at 3-3 after Kasatkina won the opening set 7-6 (5).
- AAP
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