They Called Him Cecchinato

He had never won a single match in a Grand Slam tournament. And yet, just two weeks later, Marco Cecchinato stood as one of the great revelations of Roland Garros 2018.

Gifted with an exquisite touch and the unlikely conqueror of Novak Djokovic, Cecchinato’s improbable run remains one of the most memorable moments in recent tennis history — the brief but brilliant rise of a shooting star.

Marco Cecchinato celebrating the biggest win of his Grand Slam journey.

The legend of Marco Cecchinato might have been nothing more than a fleeting anecdote had he not survived a grueling opening-round battle against Marius Copil — an opponent who, on paper, seemed well within reach.

That early victory proved decisive. It reignited the confidence of a man who had already hinted at his potential a few weeks earlier in Budapest, where he claimed the title after entering the main draw as a lucky loser. On that occasion, as in Paris, Cecchinato demonstrated that when inspired, he could elevate his game to astonishing heights.

Neither Pablo Carreno Busta nor David Goffin — both seasoned and highly-ranked players — could find an answer to the Italian's game. With a commanding presence on clay and an unpredictable, almost artistic style, Cecchinato turned the odds upside down and marched, almost dreamlike, toward the greatest challenge of his career : Novak Djokovic.

What followed was a match that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling and dramatic quarterfinals in the history of the tournament.

In a clash marked by tension, finesse, and extraordinary resilience, Cecchinato pushed the former world No. 1 to his absolute limits. The final-set tiebreak was a masterpiece of suspense.

With a sublime one-handed backhand winner, Cecchinato collapsed to the clay in disbelief.

He had done the unthinkable. He had just defeated a legend of the sport.