The French media and fellow sports
stars on Wednesday hailed Italy's Marco Cecchinato after he
continued his remarkable run at the French Open by beating Novak
Djokovic on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals.
Sports daily L'Equipe described the Palermo native and world
number 72 as "astonishing" saying that the "pureness of his
play" made him worthy of a first appearance in a Grand Slam last
four.
Le Parisien said Cecchinato was "insane" and was "continuing
to dream with his eyes open".
Djokovic himself paid tribute too.
"Congratulations to Marco on his strong performance," the
Serbian 12-time Grand Slam winner said via Twitter.
Former Italy and Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon was also
impressed.
"No one believed in it before. Now everyone is talking about
the feat," Buffon said on Facebook.
"This is the essence of sport: knowing that nothing is
impossible".
Cecchinato is the first Italian man to reach the men's
singles semis at Roland Garros since Corrado Barazzutti 40 years
ago.
The Sicilian said that he "didn't sleep much" after Tuesday's
win.
"I've received lots of messages but I only managed to respond
to those from relatives," he said.
"When Paris is over, I promise I'll respond to everyone".
Cecchinato also said "I used to switch between tennis and
soccer, I was quite a good striker and I dreamed of turning
professional.
"I support Milan and Kaka was my idol. Then my cousin
persuaded me to try tennis, and the adventure in Caldoro with
Massimo Sartori and Andreas Seppi began.
"Of course, I was used to the sea and sun of Palermo and I
had to get up with the fog...But it was worth it, those
sacrifices have been repaid".
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