Seventh-seeded Dominic Thiem defeated an injured Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-2, 6-1, to advance to the semifinals at Roland Garros. It appeared that the toll of three-straight five-set matches may have caught up with the German, who struggled with a leg injury during the match.

The meeting started out as billed, with both players striking big, quality shots. But Thiem gained the upper-hand as Zverev began to strike his share of unforced errors. He was seen grabbing his leg during the first set, but the injury became more evident in the second set as the 21-year-old came up lame after chasing down a ball. He was treated for what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

 While there looked to be a thought that he might retire, Zverev received treatment and returned to action with his hamstring heavily taped.  But, it was clear to everyone in attendance, that it was not going to happen for the German on this day as he was never the same player although he continued to fight until the end the best he could.

But after an hour and 52 minutes, Thiem disposed of Zverev to advance to his third-consecutive French Open semifinal.

Thiem empathized with Zverev afterward. “It was very tough for him today,” he said. “He is one of the fittest guys on Tour but to play three five-setters in a row is tough in Grand Slam. 'I hope we have many more matches at the Grand Slams but when we are 100 percent.”

The Austrian hopes to better his previous semifinal results at Roland Garros, “It's great to reach the semifinals for a third year but it's time to take another step and I will do everything for that.”

The match featured the two players many felt had the best opportunity to unseat Rafael Nadal’s dominance at Roland Garros.

Meanwhile, in an intense high-quality match, Marco Cecchinato defeated Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6, 1-6, 7-6 to advance to the semifinals.

The match featured an epic fourth set tiebreak with 4 match points and 3 set points before the Italian closed it out 13-11. It was a tiebreak filled with brilliant shots by both as each spent everything to win.

But it was early in the match where Cecchinato made a statement, aggressively attacking with his groundstrokes and serve, controlling the points, and the positive results would follow. He took the first set without incident. After losing his serve in the opening game of the second set, Djokovic’s level of play rose as he struck the ball cleanly. He would break the Italian to get back on serve and it would take a tiebreak to determine the set.

There, the former world number one had two set point opportunities but could not cash in and Cecchinato took advantage of his one set point opportunity winning the set and gaining a two-set lead.

But in the third set, Djokovic looked to capture momentum taking it in just 30 minutes and it appeared as though he would even things up as he parlayed it into the fourth set.  He jumped out to a 3-0 advantage and all things pointed to a decisive fifth set as he held a 5-2 lead. However, a spirited Cecchinato fought back, broke the Serb and evened the set by winning the next 3 games. Then, the set moved to a tiebreak that won’t soon be forgotten.

Both players brought their A-game in the tiebreak pulling out every shot in their bag. Play went back and forth but it appeared Djokovic would eventually seal it and even the match. But as Djokovic approached the net for a routine volley on a set point, he sailed the ball long. Ironically, a rambunctious crowd hoping Djokovic would send the match to a fifth set cheered early assuming he would put away the volley. This prompted Djokovic to theatrically admonish the crowd and a few points later, the Sicilian closed out the match.

In his post-match press conference, a clearly upset Djokovic was quick with his answers, but he complimented his former hitting partner, “He didn’t seem to be under the impression of the big stadium or the big match, he just held his nerves amazingly well in the important moments.”

He, also, would not reveal his upcoming schedule, “I don’t know if I’m going to play on grass.”

An emotional Cecchinato reflected afterward, “I had a lot of courage, especially toward the end of the tiebreaker,” he said. “I was cool. Clear-headed. My heart was beating 1,000  mph. It wasn't easy. My hand was even shaking a little.”

The world number 72 will move on to face Thiem in the semifinals.