Rafa Nadal (1) playing Diego Schwartzman (11) in a quarter final was an interesting prospect and so it proved with two service breaks apiece in the opening set.
Down a break point in the ninth game, Nadal was passed with an Argentine off forehand winner and Schwartzman would serve for the set.
Nadal called for an injury time out.
A drop shot winner and 30-0 for Schwartzman. Two set points followed a Spanish error. One saved. An exquisite drop shot from Nadal saved the second. Break point after an Argentine mistake. Saved. A great overhead winner and set point again.
After a delay Schwartzman hit a forehand winner down the line and took the set 6-4 - a surprise indeed.
20 winners from Schwartzman compared with 4 to Nadal
Rafa held serve in the first game of set two, the highlight a touch drop shot from the top shelf.
Deuce in Schwartzman’s initial attempt from the line.
He held for 1-1
Despite an ace and a winning drop shot, Rafa wasn’t able to contain the winners flowing from the Schwartzman racquet, and he was making too many unforced errors. He was broken and Schwartzman led 2-1.
It was raining but play continued.
40-0 was brought back to deuce and then Schwartzman double faulted to give Nadal a break point. Saved through Spanish error. Another break point thanks to a Spanish volley winner.
Break came and 2-2. Just the thing for Nadal to grab momentum.
Schwartzman kept coming and a lethal forehand forced an error. 0-30.
Three break points after another Nadal shot pushed wide.
An off forehand winner from Schwartzman and he led 3-2 with the break again in his hand.
Delay because of rain.
After the delay - Nadal was on the money and had Schwartzman 0-30.
A backhand down the line and the eleventh seed recovered to 30-30.
A break point was saved with a forehand winner.
A drop shot brought up game point. Netted shot and backhand volley
mistake and another break point. Long Argentine shot and the break 3-3
Nadal in charge for the time being, dropping just one point and going ahead 4-3, games on serve.
Schwartzman now struggling to find the court and down three break points - broken to love and Nadal at 5-3 serving for the set.
30-15 and another rain delay.
Unable to finish, the match will be completed tomorrow, as will the quarter final between Marin Cilic (3) and Juan Martin del Potro (5) where the pair are in a first set tie break and the points are 5-5.
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