Novak Djokovic will limp into Sunday’s start of Roland Garros without a title this season after the Serb was stopped in a 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 thriller in the Geneva semi-finals.
The world No. 1 who lasted lifted a trophy in Turin in November at the ATP Finals, went down to Czech Tomas Machac in a roller-coaster affair lasting just over two hours.
Djokovic comes to Paris as defending champion with the record 24 Grand Slam singles titles but with a worrying lack of form after playing just six events and 20 matches this listless season.
Machac, ranked 44th, will be playing in his first final after earning the biggest victory of his career.
The Czech fought back from 4-1 down in the opening set, dropped the second as Djokovic stormed back but re-asserted authority to sweep the final six games and advance.
“I have no reaction right now, I just fought for every ball,” Machac said.
“When you play against Novak you just hope. You just try to play your best and see what it looks like.”
Djokovic, who has not looked the same on court since being accidentally banged on the head by a falling metal water bottle in Rome, was given a medical timeout at the end of the first set as he played in the 98th ATP semi-final of his career.
The Serb;s top ranking could be in doubt if he cannot hold off the possible charge from Italian Jannik Sinner, returning to action in Paris after missing a month to treat a hip injury sustained on the clay this spring.
“Of course I’m worried,” Djokovic said after appearing breathless and out of sorts at points in the match.
“I didn’t play well at all this year, except for a few matches here and there.”
He added: ” Things are what they are. I don’t see myself as a favourite in Paris. I will try to take the matches one after the other.
“I didn’t have a great night, and today it was difficult.
“I had horrible sensations during the first set of the match. I don’t want to take any credit away from Tomas, who deserved his victory, but I don’t know what to think of this match.
“I prefer to forget it.”
Main photo:- Tomas Machac winning semi-final – by ATPTour.com
