Thursday, 7 June 2018

Nadal d Schwartzman to make semi

Rafa Nadal wrapped up the second set of the unfinished 2018 Roland Garros quarter final when play resumed, by winning the final two points of the ninth game.

6-3 and one set apiece

Schwartzman began set three with three mistakes and Nadal had a trio of break chances.  The second was taken when the Argentine netted a forehand.  1-0 Nadal.


Rifling his ground strokes, Nadal was pinning Schwartzman to the back of the court and eventually forcing him into error.  He was quickly to 40-0 and a big serve brought him to 2-0.

0-30 but a winning lob from Schwartzman and a forced Nadal error helped him to 30-30.  Another Spanish mistake and game point.

Game to Schwartzman and Nadal led 2-1.


A love game to Nadal, including a forehand winner 3-1.

Two forehand errors from Schwartzman were balanced by a winner and a loose Spanish shot.  A Nadal backhand winner produced a break point.

Drop shot converted and 4-1 with the double break.

Rafa cruised to 5-1 with another easy service hold.

A sizzling off forehand winner was offset by a netted backhand from the Nadal racquet.  15-15.  Errors exchanged for 30-30.

Game point after a good rally from Schwartzman.  Held for 2-5.


Rafa serving for a two set to one lead.  After losing the first point, Nadal hit a winning forehand.  15-15.

Schwartzman forced an error with an attacking backhand, but a deep shot by Nadal helped him to 30-30.  A volley winner and set point.

Not just yet - a wide shot and deuce.  Break point - not converted.

Excellent rally by Schwartzman and a second break chance.

Saved after a terrific 19 stroke rally.

Backhand Argentine winner and third break point.  Saved by drop shot 

winner.  Fourth break opportunity - saved.  Second set point - long shot from Schwartzman and Nadal led 4-6 6-3 6-2.


Schwartzman served first in the fourth set.  He began well with a backhand winner and 30-0.  A drop shot and three game points.

Serve volley for 1-0 Argentina.

Punishing backhands eventually drew the error and 15-0 Nadal.  Schwartzman’s backhand forced an error but he netted the next one and 30-15.  Nadal missed a forehand but not a backhand which was too good for Schwartzman and he won the game with an overhead.  1-1.

Three break points after Nadal forced an error, and Schwartzman donated a couple of his own doing.  Break for Spain and 2-1


Rafa opened game four with a double fault and a loose ground stroke, but rectified things thanks to errant shots from Schwartzman.  30-30.

Break point came though.  Drop shot saved it.  Volley winner and game point.  Serve volley success and 3-1 Nadal.

Schwartzman lost the first two points of the fifth game and was in trouble.  Deeper when Nadal hit a forehand winner down the line.

One break point saved.  And the second.  A long backhand from Schwartzman and the double break saw him trail 1-4.


The third point of game six saw Nadal slamming shots from both sides and keeping Schwartzman back, reducing his competitive capacity.

On game point, the reigning champ produced another drop shot to lead 5-1.

Despite three Nadal forehand winners, Schwartzman managed to save a match point, hold serve, and force his opponent to serve for the match. 


Nadal won the first point with an overhead winner.  And the second with a loose Schwartzman shot.  30-15 after a Nadal shot went wide.

Two match points followed a forehand winner.

One saved.  And the second.  Deuce.

Break point after a forehand winner from Schwartzman, down the line.

Saved by Nadal.  A Schwartzman backhand winner and a second break point.  Saved by a slashing Spanish forehand.  A third break point - saved with a Nadal backhand winner.  Match point again - won with a clean forehand winner.


Nadal into the semi final 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-2.  He will play the winner of the quarter final between Marin Cilic (3) and Juan Martin del Potro (5).

Currently del Potro leads 7-6(5) 5-7 6-3 2-2

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