Thiem in French final

Meanwhile, top seed Rafael Nadal will bid for a record-extending 11th French Open title after breezing past fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro in the other semi-final.

Nadal, 32, won 6-4 6-1 6-2 to set up a meeting with Austrian seventh seed Dominic Thiem in Sunday’s final.

The Spaniard, who has only lost twice in 87 matches at Roland Garros, beat the Argentine in just over two hours. Nadal is only the second man after Roger Federer to reach 11 finals at the same Grand Slam.

World number one Nadal was the overwhelming pre-tournament favourite to win an event he has dominated since making his debut as a teenager in 2005.

Cecchinato, the world number 72, played fearlessly and used his whole arsenal of claycourt weapons, but he came up short against the only player to beat Nadal on his favourite surface this season.

The 24-year-old Thiem, the youngest man since Nadal to reach the final in Paris, ended the contest on his first match point with a forehand winner.

“Maybe the experience helped a little bit but the big key was the second set tiebreak because it was very

close and I saved I think three set points,” said Thiem.

“If lost that tiebreak it would have been a very close match I think and I didn’t want that. Of course it’s very important to have a good recovery now. I’ll watch the other semi-final to study... my opponent and then it’s full power on Sunday.” Cecchinato proved to be no pushover even though he had never won a match at a major before this year’s French Open. Thiem was the aggressor early on and he broke in the first game before holding to love for a 2-0 lead.

Cecchinato’s nerves settled and the Sicilian unleashed some trademark backhand winners but Thiem had too much pace and power.

Cecchinato mixed it up with drop shots and gradually found his range to set up three break points at 4-3, which Thiem saved thanks to his strong first serve.

The Austrian netted an easy volley to give another opportunity to Cecchinato, which he seized, forcing his opponent to a backhand error.