Diego Schwartzman has been the biggest story of the abbreviated 2020 clay-court swing. He upset Rafael Nadal en route to the final of the Rome Masters and outlasted U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem in a French Open quarterfinal match that lasted more than five hours.
Nadal in Rome and Thiem at Roland-Garros were extremely tough tests, and now Schwartzman faces the toughest test of all: Nadal in the semifinals of a tournament that the Spaniard has won 12 times.
Friday’s meeting will be the 11th of their careers, and the Argentine’s victory last month in Rome was his first. Nadal had previously been sweeping the head-to-head series 9-0, including 22-2 in total sets. One of those sets won by Schwartzman came at none other than the French Open, when Nadal prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in the 2018 quarterfinals.
Nobody has managed to take a set off the King of Clay this fortnight even though fall conditions in Paris may not be as ideal for him as they are in May and June. Nadal eased his way into the semifinals by beating Egor Gerasimov, Mackenzie McDonald, Stefano Travaglia, Sebastian Korda, and Jannik Sinner.
Schwartzman obviously remains in outstanding form on the heels of his runner-up performance in Rome. The world No. 14, who will crack the top 10 for the first time in his career next week, preceded his triumph over Thiem with defeats of Miomir Kecmanovic, Lorenzo Giustino, Norbert Gombos, and Lorenzo Sonego. He had not surrendered a set prior to going up against Thiem.
“It’s a challenge,” Nadal assured. “When you lost to somebody, (it) is because he’s playing well. [Against Thiem] he played an amazing match against one of the best players of the world, without a doubt, especially on this surface. He’s coming with big confidence.”
The Rome result may be big for Schwartzman’s confidence, but it does little to suggest he can do the same in Paris. After all, a best-of-five situation is a whole different beast and so is the stage of Roland-Garros–where Nadal is a laughable 98-2 lifetime.
Two days off will help Schwartzman, who will be fine physically at the start. It is at the business end of the match when the underdog will start to feel the effects of the Thiem match in his legs. Moreover, the conditions are not as bad for Nadal as advertised, so he has every reason to take care of business and avenge the recent Rome loss.
Pick: Nadal in 4
WWW?
Going to ask the question again here where it belongs:
Is Rafa’s ridiculous Diego complex going to appear again??!
If it does I will go berserk!
I think he will come focussed. Moya will prepare him n moya said they have learnt from rome match
Yes but he played horribly against Diego for a set and a half at Rg the year before last! He only got better after they went off court. If it was just Rome I wouldn’t worry but it’s concerning to me that it’s happened twice including at Rg.
I do actually think that paradoxically Diego beating Dom and beating Rafa at Rome may help Rafa. Because of this, people are saying Diego.has a chance which no one would have said before. That eases the pressure on Rafa imo.
Let’s all give credit to Ricky .didn’t he predict exactly these 4 semifinalists .I don’t think anyone else did..now I hope Ricky’s finalists come true too 🙂
I agree, Sanju. Ricky made one hell of a good prediction on the semifinalists.
Rafa was lacking match play in Rome and Diego was on fire. This time, Rafa has a few matches under his belt so he should fare better. Hope I’ll have a smile on my face this time tomorrow.
Vamos Rafa!
But Diego for some reason plays rafa extremely tough.. even at the uso 2019 i remember diego came back from two breaks down in two sets and the end result was much closer than the score indicated.. also at ao 2018 he made things tough for rafa.. that guy just runs down everything but yeah if rafa is unable to take diego down there was no chance he would have been able to take novak down.. hope it is not a long drawn affair though
I don’t understand this analysis about tired legs. It is clear Diego is physically fit and aerobically fit. Because Diego is shorter and has less mass, he probably has an aerobic advantage. He can chase down balls from both sides without much huffing and puffing even in the 5th set against Thiem. He can hit both sides of the court, he can do angles, he can volley, and he can do drop shots comfortably. Also he is younger and AFAIK free of major injuries unlike Nadal.
Nadal gets an inner spiritual boost at Roland Garros that’s for sure. Nadal is my favorite player but I think Schwartzman will prevail in 4 or 5 sets.
Nadal in 4 is the most likely result. Nadal is simply too strong in this court over 5 sets and there’s several strong reasons why Diego shouldn’t lose 3-0 as well.
Nadal in five
Schwartzman shouldve beaten Theim in 3-4 sets, instead he nearly lost and he only just won in 5. That’s a blemish IMO on his prospects in this match. He beat Nadal in Rome because he was fresh and playing mostly on instinct and Nadal was lacking a bit of fitness.
This is a different ball game now, its over 5 sets, the bull is much fitter and Nadal will be ready.
That suggests that Schwartzman will be lucky to win a set in this semi-final. If he beat Theim the way he shouldve then I’d be more willing to take him on but not after that performance.
Nadal in 4 (maybe 3)
Anonymous, I completely agree with ure analysis there! And Diego may not be tired physically but he may be emotionally, and the prospect of causing such an upset will just make it even worse!!
Rafa in 3, at most 4!
Yes, he will be thinking a lot more than in Rome match and that won’t work out well for him.
Yeah, I agree, it’s Rafa in three or at worst four sets. I doubt Rafa is going to be like Thiem and let it drag on to five sets.
Diego may not be tired after the match with Thiem but when made to run against Rafa, the fresher of the two ie Rafa will have the advantage.
Keep your mind sharp and focused, remain confident, be strong and show your warrior spirit, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ej3RLtGXYAA-rUX?format=jpg&name=medium
Rafa in 5
Are u crazy ..u want ppl to collapse out of anxiety ? 🙂
Rafa’s 20th slam is inevitable confirmation.
Haha. Why so though ? Soothsayer ?
How arrogant a statement is this to make ? Like seriously ? No chance? Where will he hide his face if proven wrong
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.tennisworldusa.org/amp_tennis/news/Novak_Djokovic/92025/ivanisevic-nadal-would-have-no-chance-against-djokovic-in-these-conditions-at-rg/
Nadal definitely the favourite here. But this is a very tough match still. I’m surprised most of you are so relaxed and confident and already count him in the final.
A 3-2 win or a very long 3-1 still dangerous as Djoko/Tsitsi have more matchplay this season. Nadal has to close this quickly to make his life easy in the final.
I think Schartz will have his chances. Should be interesting.
I hope the real Nadal turns up. He wasn’t match fit in Rome and Diego was red hot. Rafa was unable to penetrate Diego’s game then and dropping his serve early in the match just gave Diego to go for winners and retrieve the most impossible balls and it just shut Rafa out.
Today Rafa is more match ready but he will have to strike early in order to take control of the match.
Have to admit, I am nervous.
Vamos Rafa!
Whilst I am nervous, I keep thinking that a head to head of 9-1 has to count for something.
I was actually more nervous about Sinner! Plenty!!! But true true, I will be nervous all throughout first set as Rafa always starts off slow, and we wonder y Rafa gets nervous, ah ha!!
Many will be watching this match especially Roger fans, cause if Rafa wins today its one more step towards #20!!
Btw goran has said rafa will have no chance in these conditions against novak since novak is in his head😳😳 that is a bit too much🙄🙄
https://tennishead.net/rafael-nadal-has-no-chance-against-novak-djokovic-in-these-conditions-says-serbs-coach/
This kind of talk reminds me of Mohamed Ali before a fight, lol! Besides, Tsistipas might just have something to say about that bold statement, lol!!
I suspect he’s bucking Novak up. The only time he beat Rafa at RG was when even Djoker admitted that Rafa just wasn’t playing at his usual level.
Yes, that’s too much. His name ends in ‘xxxIC’, you shouldn’t be surprised. They are known to be arrogant.
I like Goran, he’s a fun guy but, what else is he going to say? He’s always been a bit larger than life , you don’t get to win Wimbledon as a wildcard for nothing, lol
But, in this case, he’s definitely wrong. In any other place Novak would be favourite but not here, I don’t care what conditions.