OMNISPORT 

An inspired Dominic Thiem outclassed and outfought reigning champion Novak Djokovic to clinch a French Open semi-final berth with an outstanding 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-0 triumph.

The Austrian headed into the contest on Court Suzanne Lenglen having never defeated Djokovic and with last month's 6-1 6-0 thrashing at his hands in Rome still fresh in the memory.

But Djokovic, whose struggles with form since a third-round exit at last year's Wimbledon have been well documented, was a shadow of the player that completed a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros 12 months ago.

The former world number one was never able to settle amid blustery conditions and, after losing a first set in which both men appeared to go for broke, Djokovic completely wilted in the French capital.

Nothing should be taken from Thiem, though, who has had a brilliant clay-court season and will face Rafael Nadal for the fourth time this year on the red dirt – the sixth seed losing in Barcelona and Madrid, but winning their last encounter in Rome.