Djokovic into last four as Fognini quits

PARIS (Reuters) - Second seed Novak Djokovic got a walkover into the French Open semi-finals after last eight opponent Fabio Fognini pulled out Monday because of injury.

The pair were due to play their quarter-final Tuesday but the Italian has not recovered from a thigh muscle problem sustained in Sunday's long five-set win over Albert Montanes.

"I have a little problem with my left left leg so I have to retire," Fognini told a news conference.

"My doctors said if I play tomorrow maybe it can be dangerous."

Serbia's red-hot Djokovic is on a 41-match winning streak since the start of the year, just one behind John McEnroe's 1984 record.

The Australian Open champion could meet third seed and 2009 winner Roger Federer in the semi-finals if the Swiss gets through his quarter-final.

Bandana-wearing Fognini reckoned he would be fit for Wimbledon next month and did not regret finishing the match even if a withdrawal when he suffered the problem in the final set would have put Spain's Montanes through.

"It's the best tournament of my career. But this is the best solution," added the unseeded Fognini, who battled through to the last eight with his unusual brand of laidback tennis, almost like a boxer dropping his hands.

(Reporting by Mark Meadows and Julien Pretot ; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)