Schwartzman mounts stunning French Open comeback to earn shot at Nadal

Eminem once quipped in one of his songs, “I came with 5’9”, but I feel like I’m 6’8”.

That may have been what Diego Schwartzman was thinking at the French Open on Monday. Or at least something close to that.

Schwartzman, for whom 5’9” would actually be generous (he’s listed at 5’7”), staged an epic comeback to take down 6’8” South African Kevin Anderson 1-6, 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(7), 6-2 during fourth-round action at Roland Garros. The diminutive Argentine not only trailed two sets to love, but he also fell behind by a break in the third and eventually watched Anderson serve for the match in both the third and fourth sets.

No matter. Schwartzman erased deficits time and time again before triumphing after three hours and 51 minutes.

There was also some time for a brief incident between Schwartzman and the chair umpire:

…clearly Diego Schwartzman is not into Anderson's new soundtrack. He sought commiseration from chair umpire Veljovic. #RG18 pic.twitter.com/6F4pQbISQ1

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 4, 2018

When asked how he could come back against a much bigger–and for two and a half sets better–opponent, the world No. 12 replied with a smile, “Did you read David and Goliath? That’s why. That’s why. I read it when I was young in the school, and I just try to think that when I see Kevin or the guys who have two meters (on me).”

Schwartzman will be an even more overwhelming underdog on Wednesday, albeit not to the same extent in the size discrepancy department. Up next for him is none other than world No. 1 and 10-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, who took care of Maximilian Marterer in straight sets.

“Always I believe I can [win],” Schwartzman assured. “If it’s not, I am not playing tennis. But Rafa, here, I know it’s his second home. It’s going to be a really tough match. I need to recover well, because against him I need to run a lot and do my best.”

If the 11th seed can engineer an upset of historic proportions, his reward would be another Diego vs. Goliath situation against either Marin Cilic or Juan Martin Del Potro.

[polldaddy poll=10022850]
[polldaddy poll=10022852]