Italy's Marco Cecchinato says he wants to target a spot among the world's top 20 players after his remarkable run at the French Open.
Before arriving at Roland Garros, the 25-year-old world No.72 had never won a grand slam match but dispatched seeds Pablo Carreno Busta, David Goffin and former world No.1 Novak Djokovic en route to Friday's semi-final with Austria's Dominic Thiem.
Cecchinato, who was suspended for an 18-month term in 2016 during a match-fixing investigation, says he will cherish the memories he made in the French capital after he lost to Thiem in straight sets 7-5 7-6 (12-10) 6-1.
"For me it's a special tournament," said Cecchinato.
"All day, Court Philippe Chatrier every point said 'Forza, Marco'. So I think this is the best moment for me. Against Dominic Thiem, he is top 10, and today all the people was for me.
"I played two sets the same level against Dominic Thiem. I think he's the second or third-best player in red clay. For me, the level is very good in this moment. And after Roland Garros, I am very, very happy.
"I need more work for top 10 or top 20, so these matches was very important for me."
"I think is possible to compete every day, I think, because every match I played very well against top 10, top 20, top 30. So now I think positive and maybe I can go also top 20."
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