WHAT HAPPENED: Diego Schwartzman regularly hones his game at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in Mallorca, Spain.
But the practice and familiarity hadn’t previously appeared to help the Argentine’s cause against Nadal. The Spaniard was undefeated against Schwartzman, a perfect 7-0 coming into Wednesday night’s quarterfinal.
If Nadal expected to school his Argentine understudy once again, things weren’t so straightforward this time.
Nadal still won in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. But it took some real work in two bizarrely identical sets to shake off the diminutive, 20th-seeded Argentine challenger.
Schwartzman was unable to snatch a set, but he did succeed in pushing Nadal to nearly three hours on court.
In both the first and second sets, Nadal raced to commanding, two-break leads, only to suddenly begin to misfire with his forehand, allowing Schwartzman to gain confidence and find his way back into each set.
Then, with Schwartzman serving to knot the score late in both stanzas, the Argentine suddenly faltered. Nadal tossed up a few loopy balls designed to bounce high on the 5-foot-7 player’s backhand. With his opponent off balance, Nadal would then crack forehand winners into the open court.
It was enough in each case for Nadal to salvage the set and ultimately move on.
Nadal, who received treatment from the trainer on his left forearm in the final set, was far from his best on the night. His normally lethal forehand went awry for long periods in a late, and exceedingly muggy night.
Indeed, Nadal hit more unforced errors, 39, than winners, 35.
“I am super happy in the way that I accepted the situation,” said Nadal. “I accepted the challenge and just kept going, point by point.
“Here I am, in semifinals, and that’s super important for me. It means everything.”
WHAT IT MEANS: The Mallorcan has never lost at this stage of the US Open; he has now won eight straight quarterfinals.
Nadal advances to his eighth US Open semifinal, where the three-time champion will meet newcomer and 24th seed Matteo Berretini. The big-hitting, stocky Italian outlasted the Frenchman Gael Monfils in an enervating, five-set thriller.
About his next opponent, Nadal said, “He is hitting huge. Big, big serves. Big forehands. Moving well and is super confident.
“He is a player who is making big steps forward, so it will be another big challenge.”
Schwartzman, who has been as high as No. 11 in the world, has yet to win a Grand Slam quarterfinal in three appearances (two in Flushing Meadows).
MATCH POINT: With world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 3 Roger Federer out, no remaining man besides Nadal has seen the final Sunday of a Grand Slam.
Though it will be of little comfort in the loss, Schwartzman has the distinction of once being up a set and break on Nadal at Roland Garros (in 2018), where Nadal has won a record 12 French Open crowns.
More Photos: Nadal vs. Schwartzman
