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Before this year's French Open, the biggest thing Marco Cecchinato was known for was being embroiled in a match fixing scandal in 2015. His 18-month ban was overturned on a technicality in 2016, allowing the Italian—then ranked outside the Top 100—to return to the ATP World Tour.

Now, no one is seeing the world No. 72 as anything but the cinderella story of the French Open. Cecchinato had previously never won a main draw match in any Grand Slam and his 2018 record was 8-9.

"I think it's changed the life," Cecchinato said. "So after Roland Garros, I need some rest and to realize the moment, and we will see my life."

It's a dream come true for a player who has never broken into the Top 50 (he reached a career-high ranking of No. 59 in April). The 25-year-old will fly into the Top 30 after his four-set upset of Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.

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Cecchinato is the first Italian man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal since 1978, and the lowest-ranked man to get this far since world No. 100 Andrei Medvedev in 1999. He's soaking it all in as the man of the hour, even meeting his idol Marat Safin.

"For me, he's my idol from when I was young."

This meeting between #RG18 semifinalist Marco Cecchinato and former world No.1 Marat Safin will make you smile. 😊 pic.twitter.com/yYvhF3VRuP
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2018

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On Friday, he will face Dominic Thiem in the semifinals.

"I won last match against Dominic Thiem, I think, was the final in one Futures," Cecchinato said. "So I remember this match, and why no? I want to be believe for beat also Dominic Thiem."

Thiem beat him in Doha in December 2013, but earlier that year, Cecchinato posted an ITF Pro Circuit Futures final win over the Austrian.

If Cecchinato can make it to the final, he will face either Rafael Nadal or Juan Martin del Potro.

Meet Cecchinato, the unknown hero of the French Open

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