Hello and welcome to LIVE updates of the 2018 French Open semi final clash between Dominic Thiem and surprise package, Marco Cecchinato of Italy.

Thiem is all smiles as he is interviewed on court following the match. He says the second set was the key and was relieved to win the tie break.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! - THIEM 7-5 7-6 6-1 CECCHINATO. Thiem tightens up and gives Cecchinato a slight glimmer of hope. However, the Italian can't make anything of two break points and the Austrian seals the match from deuce with a crunching winner. He moves into his first Grand Slam final in straight sets after a solid two hours and 17 minutes on court. He will meet Nadal or Del Potro on Sunday.

THIEM 7-5 7-6 5-1 CECCHINATO. Marco avoids the bagel. The crowd applaud but they know it's going to be academic. Thiem will now serve for the match and a place in the final of RG18.

THIEM 7-5 7-6 5-0 CECCHINATO. Thiem starts sloppy but recovers from 0-30, lashing down a sixth ace of the match on the way, to move within a game of the final.

BREAK! - THIEM 7-5 7-6 4-0 CECCHINATO. It's a break to love and this match looks done. Cecchinato looks to be checking out.

THIEM 7-5 7-6 3-0 CECCHINATO. Marco is looking beaten now. Thiem marauds to a love hold to consolidate with real ease.

BREAK! - THIEM 7-5 7-6 2-0 CECCHINATO. The Italian's legs will be feeling pretty heavy right now. He hits back from 0-30 down but the dropshots work against him for a change, with Thiem outsmarting him at the net one more to move two sets and a break to the good. A long, long, long way back for the world number 72 now.

THIEM 7-5 7-6 1-0 CECCHINATO. Some wonderful reactions and defence from Cecchinato sees him get lucky when Thiem guides a backhand just wide of the line. It's the only moment of joy in the Set 3 opener, however, as Thiem surges through to get on the board first and maintain the momentum from that topsy-turvy breaker.

SET! - THIEM 7-5 7-6 CECCHINATO. Thiem finally gets the job done on his fifth set point to claim an enthralling tie break 12-10. He had to save a third set point for Cecchinato, giving the Italian a taste of his own medicine with a cute drop shot. The Austrian was made to battle hard but is now one set away from a maiden appearance in a Grand Sam final.

TB LATEST: Another change of ends and it's 9-9. Marco has had two set points and Thiem has blown four.

TB LATEST: The Cecchinator somehow saves three set points. It's 6-6 and another change of ends. Only Thiem will know how we are still in Set 2 after missing an absoluter sitter of a volley at the net at 6-4.

TB LATEST: It's winners galore and a highly entertaining tie break as a result. Thiem leads 4-2 at the change of ends.

Great nickname! The Cecchinator facing off with the Dominator.

THIEM 7-5 6-6 CECCHINATO. Nerves? What nerves? Thiem does indeed take us into a second set tie break by following suit with an equally ruthless love hold.