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Rafael Nadal won 12th seed Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (0) in the Roland Garros semifinals on 9/10.
Despite missing moments in the third set, Nadal was brave on the clay court with the victory after more than three hours. Schwartzman won the “Clay King” at the Rome Masters last month, but drowned in their rematch in Paris. The Argentine only won 38% of the second ball, scored 24 goals against Nadal’s 38 and made up to 48 errors, 14 more errors than Nadal.
Nadal is well prepared for the semi-final, both physically and tactically. The world’s number two player, after saving the first 14-minute match, won the game to save the ball and go 2-0. Schwartzman also won the ball after that, but Nadal dominated the rest of the set to win 6-3.
Nadal successfully capitalized on six of the nine break points. Image: AP
Schwartzman still attacked well, but Nadal countered his opponent with a variety of ball lines, a combination of the ball to the corner, and the high rebound effect. Many times, Schwartzman had to jump to nullify the ball with his backhand and was unable to move in time for the next ball situation. The game continued with Nadal in the second set, where he won 6-3 after winning two games to catch the ball.
Victory came close to Nadal when he led 3-1, then 4-2 in the third set. But at the foot of the wall, Schwartzman thrashed and won two games to catch the ball and stay on set. The 1m70 player even had three break points in Nadal’s game, when the score was 5-5. But Nadal saved all three risks of losing the game, thanks to good first serves.
Schwartzman failed to become the third person to beat Nadal at Roland Garros. Image: AP
Missing golden opportunities to win the third set, Schwartzman lost the excitement and quickly lost in the tiebreaker series 0-7. Nadal 13th time in the final, with victory 6-3, 6-3, 7-6. On the previous 12 occasions, the Spanish player won the championship.
“The game was very difficult,” Nadal said after the game. “I made some mistakes in the third set, especially on the net receptions. I know Diego does not give up easily. A few weeks ago I lost to him in bad shape in Rome. I am happy to have improved my performance.”
Nadal has not lost a set in this year’s tournament. He won Roland Garros three times without dropping a set, in 2008, 2010 and 2017. In his 13 appearances in the clay Grand Slam semifinals, Nadal has lost three sets, including one against Roger Federer five. 2005 and two sets against Novak Djokovic in 2013.
This is the 28th time “Clay King” has appeared in the Grand Slam final. Nadal won 99 of 101 games at Roland Garros. If he wins the 100th match of the tournament, he will balance Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam.
Nhan Dat – Quang Dung
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