Matteo Berrettini said he was "dreaming" after edging Gael Monfils in a thrilling five-set tussle Wednesday to become the first Italian to reach the men's US Open semi-finals since 1977.

Berrettini, 23, displayed impressive poise and resilience after fluffing four match points to outlast 13th-seeded Frenchman Monfils 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) in three hours and 57 minutes. He became just the second Italian man to make the last four in New York after Corrado Barazzutti 42 years ago, and is only the fourth in the Open era to advance to a Grand Slam semi-final — joining 1976 Roland Garros champion Adriano Panatta and Marco Cecchinato.